ABSTRACT
Personal autonomy has been articulated as self-direction rather than self-determination. Self-direction is understood as "exercising one's will on the basis of good reasons." Gerald Dworkin questions a simple identification between autonomy and independence by arguing that his conception of autonomy insists on procedural independence, as distinct from substantive independence. The identification of freedom with autonomy contrasts sharply with T. H. Green's theory of positive liberty. A model of democratic citizenship will include the assumption that the conditions for participation as a citizen will be categorically available, and this assumption is more plausible in the context of a theory that does indeed organically relate freedom and democracy. Democratic participation can be construed as making a contribution to a democratic dialogue. New public ends are identified through the processes of public participation. The public choice settled upon may reflect a newly constituted interest.
