What does "normative theory" refer to in democratic studies?

Normative theory in the context of democratic studies is fundamentally concerned with the ethical and philosophical underpinnings of democracy. It seeks to answer important questions about what democracy ought to be, rather than just describing or analyzing what it is or how it functions. This involves inquiries into concepts such as justice, equality, freedom, and the legitimacy of democratic practices and institutions.

Normative theorists might explore what criteria make a democracy just or whether certain democratic principles are universally applicable. This branch of study is crucial for understanding the values that societies attach to democratic systems and for challenging or supporting existing frameworks based on ethical considerations.

Other options, while relevant to democratic studies, do not align with the essence of normative theory. Historical development focuses on past iterations of democracy without addressing ethical implications, empirical research examines observable behaviors which do not inherently evaluate values, and analysis of government structures centers on practicality rather than ethical foundations. Thus, the emphasis of normative theory is distinctly on examining the principles that should guide democratic practices, making it a vital aspect of contemporary democratic theory.