New Forms of Democracy

New Forms of Democracy explores the idea of extending democracy to new domains, a question which no single text addresses broadly. It therefore contributes to the continuing debate about this central concept of political and social theory.

At a time when some vitality appears to be going out of the traditional Western liberal democracies (with fewer people joining parties and voting at elections) new growth points for political activity are simultaneously appearing.

The book considers increasing the scope of democracy and applying it to the private sphere, the workplace, bureaucracies, and to military and foreign policy. It investigates new methods by which the democratic process could be conducted. This includes a discussion of electoral systems and an assessment of the possibilities of discovering popular preferences using new technological developments - such as direct democracy through mass electronic communications networks. The extent to which these ideas and proposals can be practically applied is also discussed.

New Forms of Democracy draws on examples from many countries. It is critically concerned with examining new initiatives from below as well as new developments in formal political and policy agendas. In short, in spanning both theoretical and empirical questions, this book offers a unique account of the possibilities for democracy in the twentieth century.