THE basic assumption of democracy is that all adult men and women should have an equal share in deciding how their country is governed.
Some of them are wealthier than others, some have sharper minds, some prefer Mozart to Bono, or vice versa.
No matter. Provided they are reasonably sane, they are all equally part of the democracy.
That concept sits oddly alongside the fact that, in most of the 'democratic' world, all but a few hundred men and women have no democratic function.
Except, that is, to cast a vote every now and again for one or another of a variety of parties that offer them a complicated list of proposals.
Some proposals they like, but others they do not like; and between those occasional votes, the few hundred exceptions, plus the civil servants under their command, make all the actual law-making decisions.
This is not really representation. It is, in the long periods between elections, just a transfer of power to the few. An 'elective dictatorship' as Lord Hailsham famously called it.
In direct democracy, the voters do not merely vote every few years to elect a parliament and a president, and then leave it to these people to represent them until the next election comes along.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
The invention of intersex
Controversial sexologist a pioneer in transhumanism
Ethiopia paves way for digital currency
ETHIOPIA recently moved closer to launching a central bank digital currency (CBDC) after the Council of Ministers voted to approve a revised draft proclamation.
The bright side of sunshine
Don't hide from nature's gift for good health
Illiteracy in the age of covid
Without critical analysis we are as vulnerable as sheep
History crying lone wolf
Joining the dots leads to uncomfortable questions
To vote or not to vote...
Subverting the narrative: the Independents' Day general election of July 2024
Are LED lights safe?
Study claims that the lights are toxic to the eyes and body, causing cancer, and may not even save energy
Payout for scientist fired for refusing jab
Jury awards $687,000 to researcher who rejected demand to be injected
A direct approach to democracy
It doesn't have to be just one vote every five years
Digital takeover of our bodies
Hacking humans to harness our energy