It is not just "arguably possible to have democracy without elections," it is historical fact: ancient Greeks recognised the incompatibility of elections with democracy and so divided power between democratic assemblies open to the whole population (direct democracy) that met once a month on average and bodies chosen by sortition that co…
It is not just "arguably possible to have democracy without elections," it is historical fact: ancient Greeks recognised the incompatibility of elections with democracy and so divided power between democratic assemblies open to the whole population (direct democracy) that met once a month on average and bodies chosen by sortition that controlled day-to-day governance (democratic representative government). Arguably, these were the only true democracies since the real levers of power were all in the hands of the people at large, the vast majority of whom are ordinary (non-elite). For an understanding of how such a system can be applied to the realities of today's highly complex, technologically drive societies, I recommend you read The Democracy Manifesto by Waxman and McCulloch.
Well, there is that, of course, and I'd add "Contre les elections", by David van Reybrouck. But I was thinking of something more fundamental than even sortition: the decision-making process in some African societies, for example, of the search for consensus no matter how long it takes. The Liberal model of politics is competition. It doesn't have to be like that.
Swiss democracy works better than Athens ever did. China's and Singapore's, too. All three say their brand of democracy is working pretty well, thanks, and their countries' democratic stats support their claim.
It is not just "arguably possible to have democracy without elections," it is historical fact: ancient Greeks recognised the incompatibility of elections with democracy and so divided power between democratic assemblies open to the whole population (direct democracy) that met once a month on average and bodies chosen by sortition that controlled day-to-day governance (democratic representative government). Arguably, these were the only true democracies since the real levers of power were all in the hands of the people at large, the vast majority of whom are ordinary (non-elite). For an understanding of how such a system can be applied to the realities of today's highly complex, technologically drive societies, I recommend you read The Democracy Manifesto by Waxman and McCulloch.
Well, there is that, of course, and I'd add "Contre les elections", by David van Reybrouck. But I was thinking of something more fundamental than even sortition: the decision-making process in some African societies, for example, of the search for consensus no matter how long it takes. The Liberal model of politics is competition. It doesn't have to be like that.
Swiss democracy works better than Athens ever did. China's and Singapore's, too. All three say their brand of democracy is working pretty well, thanks, and their countries' democratic stats support their claim.
https://herecomeschina.substack.com/p/the-battle-for-democracy?r=16k