Eight Billion Cheers for Direct Democracy: Direct Democracy is Humankind’s Last, Best, and Only Hope 9798201238902

Table of contents :
Notes and References
Contents
About The Author
Preface
Chapter 1: The World is So Wrong
Reign of Oligarchs and Dictators
The Oligarchic Mindset
The Human Experiment is Probably Coming to an End
Warnings of Extinction are Growing in Number and Shrillness
A Multi-Pronged Approach
The Tsiolkosvki (or Fermi) Paradox
Nuclear Power
Nuclear War
Climate Disruptions
Nanotechnology
An Awake Computer
Chemical Contamination of Soils, Air, Waters, and Living Organisms
Genetically-Modified Organisms
Biodiversity and Ecosystem Degradation
Biological and Chemical Weapons
Stratospheric Ozone Layer Depletion
Other Known Risks
Unsuspected Existing Risks
New Technological Breakthroughs
We are Playing Russian Roulette for no Reason Whatsoever (Except Giving more Profits and Power to Oligarchs)
Summing up: What are the Chances of Human Extinction?
Extinction: Parting Words
Freedom
Massacres and Genocides
Prisoners of Starvation
Causes of Hunger
Three Bright Spots
The Mystery of Mass Compliance
Hunger: Conclusion
War on Drug Addicts and Users
Homelessness
Unemployment
Oligarch-Sanctioned Pedophilia
Conclusion: Is This the Best We Can Do?
Chapter 2: Conceptual Barriers against Direct Democracy
Ignoring or Undervaluing the Direct Democracy of Hunter-Gatherers
Promoting the Views of the Enemies of Direct Democracy
Suppression of Democratic Views and Aspirations
Controlling the Past
Usurping the Word “Democracy”
Other Semantic Tricks
Parting Words for Chapter 2
Chapter 3: Direct Democracy is the Naturally Occurring Condition in Human Societies
Introduction: Methodological Uncertainties and Approaches
Throughout Most of their Existence, Human Beings Lived in Nomadic Bands and Tribes
The Natural Political System is Direct Democracy, Freedom, Equal Rights, Economic Egalitarianism, Sharing, and Absence of Autocrats
Limits to Power
Civility and Hospitality
Environmental Sustainability
Hunter-Gatherers were Happier and more Cooperative than we are
The Keys to Happiness?
The Dark Side of Hunter-Gatherer Societies
How Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity Were Lost
Afterword
Chapter 4: Athenian Democracy
Geography and Early History
Other Greek Democracies Besides Athens
The Spirit of Athens
Athenian Non-Military Achievements
Military Achievements
The Most Beautiful Political System
Branches of Government
People’s Assembly
Council of 500
Arbitrators
Law Courts
Legislative Courts
Boards of Officials
Characteristics of Athenian Democracy
Pay for Service
The Polling Principle
The Voluntary Principle
The Random Principle (Sortition)
Term Limits
Minimum Age Requirements
Scrutiny and Accountability of Officials
Participation Rates and Personal Commitment
Minimizing the Impact of Fraudsters, Freeloaders, and Crooks
The Dilemma of Elected Officials
Welfare and Public Ownership of Resources
Decentralization
Leaders and Decision-Makers
Taming the Oligarchs
Freedom
Personal Safety and Crime
Stability, Moderation, and Compassion
Cultural Life
Economy and Wealth Distribution
A Causal Connection between Direct Democracy and Overall Excellence?
The Dark Side of Athenian Democracy
Fractional Democracy
Never-Ending Wars
Short-Sighted Imperialism
Perennial Class War
The Oligarchic Fifth Column
An Inferiority Complex?
Capital Punishment
Over-Competitiveness
Life Expectancy
Infanticide
Religious Intolerance
Chapter 5: The USA versus Athens
Why Compare Athens to the USA?
America was not Conceived as a Democracy: Its Rich Founders were Inspired by Oligarchic Rome, Not by Democratic Athens
America’s Founders Achieved their Goal: the USA has always been an Oligarchy
The Wonderful Intentions — and Precious Few Meaningful Achievements — of America’s Direct Democracy Movement
An Eagle’s Eye View of American “Democracy”
Pillars of American “Democracy”
The First Pillar of American “Democracy:” Sunshine Bribery
The Second Pillar of American “Democracy:” Misinformation
The Third Pillar of American “Democracy:” Lack of Transparency
The Fourth Pillar of American “Democracy:” Compulsory “Education”
The Fifth Pillar of American “Democracy:” Controlled, Manipulated, Trivialized, or Rigged Elections
The Sixth Pillar of American “Democracy:” Broken Electoral Promises
The Seventh Pillar of American “Democracy: The Conspiracy Theory Bogeyman
The Eighth Pillar of American “Democracy:” The Inculcated Non-Violence Creed
The Ninth Pillar of American “Democracy:” Leading, Infiltrating, and Co-Opting the Opposition
The Tenth Pillar of American “Democracy:” Compartmentalization
The Eleventh Pillar of American “Democracy:” Strategic Brilliance
The Twelfth Pillar of American “Democracy:” Unchecked Power
The Thirteenth Pillar of American “Democracy:” Banking System
The Fourteenth Pillar of American “Democracy:” Environmentally-Caused Infirmities
The Fifteenth Pillar of American “Democracy:” Human Nature
The Sixteenth Pillar of American “Democracy:” Cloak and Dagger
Political Franchise
Cultural Achievements
Military Achievements and Innovations
Governmental Structures and Operations
Term Limits
Stability
Initiation of Policy
Accountability
Rule of Law
Equality Before the Law
Legislation
Citizens’ Attitudes Towards their Political System
Freedom to Live as One Chooses
Freedom of Speech
Religious Freedom
National Self-Determination
Welfare
Economic Freedom
Plight of Workers
The Right to Bear Arms
Finance
Wealth Inequalities
Currency Debasement
Privatization
Personal Safety
Suicides
Life Expectancy
Infanticide
Compassion
Luring the People into Wars
Bellicosity, Imperialism, and Brinkmanship
Justice System
Incidence of Crime
Treatment of the Elderly
Class War
Crimes Against the Biosphere
Popular Entertainment
Conclusion
Chapter 6: Direct Democracy in Switzerland
Geography and Early History
Swiss Achievements
Formal Features of the Swiss Political System
Decentralization
Direct Democracy
Despite Decentralization, Despite the Direct Democracy Features and their Significant Impact, Switzerland is, for the Most Part, an Oligarchy
By Definition, Switzerland is not a Direct Democracy
The Devastating Impact of Vast Wealth Inequalities
Composition of the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Branches
The Government is the Handmaiden of Oligarchs
No Workplace Democracy and Weak Unions
Government Spying on Citizens and Stifling Dissent
No Rotation of Officials and No Sortition
In Switzerland, the Road to Direct Democracy is an Obstacle Course
Lack of Transparency
Assistance from Foreign Oligarchs
The Legal System
Neo-Liberalism
Two More Unsavory Features of Life of Switzerland
The Future of Direct Democracy in Switzerland
Switzerland and Athens: A Limited Convergence
Case Studies: Interplay between Oligarchy and Direct Democracy
Defense Preparations: 1935
Potentially Preempting Oligarchic Surrender Plans: 1938
Alternative Medicine: 2012
Sperm Count and Pesticides
Conclusive Evidence that Decentralization and a Modicum of Direct Democracy have had a Significant Impact
Parting Words for Chapter 6
Chapter 7: Contemporary Illustrations of Direct Democracy
The Berlin Philharmonic
History and General Description
Extracurricular Activities
Achievements and Accolades
Job Satisfaction
System of Governance
Reasons for Excellence
The Icelandic Demos vs. the International Bankers
The Nature of Iceland’s “Democracy”
Events Leading to the 2008 Financial Crisis
The 2008 Collapse
The Oligarchs’ Plan to Throw Icelanders under the Bus
Mass Demonstrations: the Icelanders’ Response to the Crisis
The Presidential Veto Clause
Saving Iceland From the Vultures
Aftermath
Participatory Budgeting
The Mondragon Co-Operative Network
Most Contemporary Corporations are Oligarchies
Origins and Master Plan of the Mondragon Co-Operative Network: José María Arizmendiarrieta
General Characteristics of the Mondragon Co-Operative Complex: 2022
Achievements
Governance
Additional Weak Spots of the Mondragon Corporation
The People of Switzerland and Italy vs. Nuclear Power
Parting Words for Chapter 7
Chapter 8: A Theoretical Defense of Direct Democracy
Arguments For Direct Democracy
“If Government is for The People, Why Can’t the People Do the Governing?”
Western Majorities Support a Move Towards Direct Democracy
Loyalty to the Directly Democratic State or Organization, Energy for Public and Private Action, Greater General Prosperity
Guaranteeing Everyone’s Rights and Interests
Liberty
Only Direct Democracy is Consistent with Personal Autonomy
A Free Marketplace of Ideas
Creativity
Cognitive Diversity
Social Justice
An Acceptable (to Most People) Balance between Social Justice and Property Rights
Direct Democracy is Far More Likely to Follow Legal Norms than Other Systems of Governance
“The Many are Harder to Diddle – or to Bribe – than the Few”
Direct Democracy Safeguards the Public Interest
Raising the Level of Political Efficiency
A Built-In Corrective Mechanism
Placing Limits on Anyone’s Power and Curtailing the Ascent of Psychopaths and Criminals
Only Direct Democracy Circumvents Michels’ Iron Law of Oligarchy
The Plight of Minorities in Direct Democracies
Direct Democracy = Ship of Fools?
Chapter 9: Tentative Blueprints for Direct Democracy
The Athenian Model for Future Direct Democracies
The Proposal to Adopt the Athenian Model is Supported by Some Scholars
Modifications and Improvements of the Athenian System
Universal Franchise.
Peace.
Minimizing the Gap between Rich and Poor.
Correcting Other Flaws of Athenian Democracy.
Making Democracy Work Today
Information
Sunshine Bribery
Banking and Money Creation
Trusts and Oligopolies
The Central Government
The Referendum Model of Direct Democracy
The Polling Principle (= Sortition, Demarchy, or Lottocracy)
Epilogue

Polecaj historie

Direct Democracy: A Double-Edged Sword 9781626377189

Direct democracy typically is lauded for putting power in the hands of the people. But is it really as democratic as it

174 21 2MB Read more

Taking Back the Streets: Women, Youth, and Direct Democracy 9780520936874

Toward the end of the twentieth century in places ranging from Latin America and the Caribbean to Europe, the United Sta

191 99 984KB Read more

The Politics of Direct Democracy: Referendums in Global Perspective 9781442602823

This book aims to provide a comprehensive, up-to-date survey of direct democratic institutions and devices as they have

193 51 11MB Read more

Direct Democracy in Comparative Law [1 ed.] 9789462748491, 9789462368446

Faced with the variety and complexity of the forms that direct democracy takes today, this book pays attention first to

164 49 2MB Read more

Challenge of Direct Democracy: The 1992 Canadian Referendum 9780773566293

In October 1992 Canada's political leaders asked voters to accept the Charlottetown Accord, a comprehensive package

144 23 19MB Read more

Social Movements and Referendums from Below: Direct Democracy in the Neoliberal Crisis 9781447333418

In recent years, social movements on the left have increasingly begun to make themselves felt in referendums. This has b

391 14 1MB Read more

The Next Revolution: Popular Assemblies and the Promise of Direct Democracy 9781781685822, 9781781685808, 9781781687338, 2014029113

From Athens to New York, recent mass movements around the world have challenged austerity and authoritarianism with expr

386 8 2MB Read more

Direct Democracy and International Politics: Deciding International Issues Through Referendums 9781685856311

The authors examine the growth, use, and impact of international-issue referendums and discuss current debates over the

144 46 13MB Read more

Social Movements and Referendums from Below: Direct Democracy in the Neoliberal Crisis 9781447333425

Over recent years, social movements formed in response to European neoliberal austerity measures have played an increasi

193 107 5MB Read more

Demanding Choices : Opinion, Voting, and Direct Democracy [1 ed.] 9780472023349, 9780472087150

Referenda on important public policy questions have come to play a central role in policy making in many states. Referen

149 7 14MB Read more