A radical proposal for direct democracy in large societies

Vol. 36 No. 2 (2016)

Apr-Jun / 2016
Published March 1, 2020
PDF-English
PDF-English

How to Cite

Asimakopolos, John. 2016. “A Radical Proposal for Direct Democracy in Large Societies”. Brazilian Journal of Political Economy 36 (2):430-47. https://doi.org/10.1590/0101-31572016v36n02a10.

A radical proposal for direct democracy in large societies

John Asimakopolos
Professor of Sociology at the City University of New York.
Brazilian Journal of Political Economy, Vol. 36 No. 2 (2016), Apr-Jun / 2016, Pages 430-447

Abstract

It is argued direct democracy is attainable but only in ways that connect to the experiences of daily life. By modifying existing institutions of governance it is pragmatically possible to achieve a society resembling distant utopias. One proposal is based on the argument that all electoral systems are inherently fraudulent under any regime. Rather, direct democracy alone can provide substantive equality. Therefore it is suggested legislative and judicial branches be filled by lottery while leaving the demos as the executive through internet voting modeled on the principle of state propositions.

JEL Classification: D7; D72.


Keywords: democracy elections social theory political systems