Description
Book SynopsisThe Democracy Manifesto is about how to recreate democracy by replacing elections with government that is truly of, by and for the people. Written in engaging and accessible dialogue form, the book argues that the only truly democratic system of government is one in which decision-makers are selected randomly (by sortition) from the population at large, operating much the way trial juries do today, but 100% online, enabling people to govern together even across great distances. Sortition has a storied history but what sets The Democracy Manifesto apart is its comprehensive account of how it can be implemented not only across all sectors and levels of government, but throughout society as well, including the democratization of mass media, corporations, banks, and other large institutions. The resulting Sortitive Representative Democracy (SRD) is the true heir to ancient Greek democracy, and the only means of ensuring ‘we the people’ are represented by our fellow citizens rather than by the revolving groups of elites that dominate electoral systems. In the process, the book grapples with myriad hot topics including economic issues, international relations, indigenous rights, environmentalism and more.
Table of ContentsPart I: Democratizing Government
Chapter 1. Going Democratic
Chapter 2. The Democratic Ideal
Chapter 3. Phase One: Launching Democracy
Chapter 4. Phase Two: Democracy in Action
Chapter 5. Phase Three: The Ruling Assembly (Demarchy)
Chapter 6. International Democracy: Foreign Affairs and War
Chapter 7. High Quality Information — Democracy’s Lifeblood
Part II: Democratizing Society
Chapter 8. The Economy
Chapter 9. Mass Media
Chapter 10. Politics without Politicians
Chapter 11. Constitutional Democracy
Chapter 12. Institutional Democracy
