nature and form of democracy. These questions are studied further in this
chapter. It considers some of the major forms of democracy –
direct
democracy, representative democracy, deliberative democracy and social
democracy -
and explores how and the extent to which each can justify the
social choice entailed in legislation. The chapter concludes by making
proposals for reform to improve the democratic character of the social choice
that brings legislation into existence.
Direct Democracy
Democracy is not philanthropy; it is not even altruism or social reform.
Democracy is not founded on pity for the common man; democracy is
founded on reverence for the common man, or, if you will, even on fear of
him. It does not champion man because man is so miserable, but because
man is so sublime.
911
Introduction
With direct democracy in pure form, sovereignty is vested in the assembly of
all citizens. Consequently all citizens directly participate in making decisions of
state in this assembly. Direct democracy of this pure kind was practised in the
city state of Athens from about 508 BC for about two centuries. A similar
system operated in ancient Rome from about 449 BC to the death of Julius
Caesar in 44 BC.
Direct democracy was able to work in these city states because the small size
of the population allowed it. Athens had a population of about 300,000 and
gave suffrage only to adult males. In nations of today with mass suffrage there
are practical problems in obtaining a vote from citizens on every piece of
legislation, (although electronic technology may alleviate some of the problem
by allowing an instantaneous “yes” or “no” vote or some other simple choice
as now is commonly the case with television talent shows).
However, even if the problem of voting is resolved, there is the problem of
deliberation. Just voting on a proposed law is not really adequate consideration
of it. Legislation of even moderate complexity requires deliberation and
exchange of views. Ideally this proceeds to careful policy formulation possibly
followed by amendment to the original proposal and then legislative enactment.
Formal Implementation
In the modern garden of political freedom direct democracy is a small plant
overshadowed by the sprawling growth of representative democracy. Its
formal implementation is confined to several specific types of legislative
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911
GK Chesterton Heretics
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