Saving democracy
Subtitle: a plan for real representation in America
By: Kevin O'Leary
Publisher: Stanford University Press
Published: 2006
Place of publication: Stanford, Calif
Language: eng
Number of pages: 290
Subjects: Representative government and representation -- United States; Political participation -- United States; Democracy -- United States
Description: Saving Democracy presents a bold yet practical plan for reinventing American democracy for the twenty-first century. The book diagnoses contemporary political ills as symptoms of corruption in our large republic and develops a new understanding of representative democracy. Building on the ideas of James Madison and Thomas Jefferson, Saving Democracy shows how it is possible to combine the traditional town hall and the Internet to fashion a new theory of representative government that empowers citizens and bridges the enormous gap that now exists between the political elite and the average voter. Under the author s plan, in each of the nation s 435 congressional districts a local assembly of 100 citizens, selected by lot, would meet to discuss the major domestic and international issues. The role of this assembly would be deliberative and advisory and its views would constitute a second, more sophisticated and informed measure of public opinion than traditional public opinion polls. The next step would be the establishment of the People s House, which would hold actual legislative power.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 221-275) and index
Table of contents: title: Introduction; title: Size and democracy; title: Corruption in the large republic; title: Building on the founders; title: A virtual national assembly; title: Three benefits; title: Institutional impact; title: Giving publics power; title: Constitutional balance; title: America and the world; title: Conclusion: taking control