Notes on Democracy

Democracy is the first among political principles treasured by modern Western society. But how treasured is the practice? Do we practice it well? We invoke the word often enough, but do we invoke it as word or substance? Notes on Democracy answers that question. It first defines the what and why of democracy, and then discusses the state of self-governance in politics and government, those areas we are usually referring to when we mention democracy. Recognizing that if we are to think of ourselves as democratic societies we cannot limit our focus to politics, the book goes on to examine a full range of our institutions and measures them as well. It analyzes the state of democracy in our workplaces, to many people the most important place of all. It takes a long look at that old comrade of power, wealth, and its affect on democracy through a range of our institutions, including economics, politics and the mass media. It examines change, technological and global, to see if it is helping or hindering. And finally, it looks at the fundamentals—education and equality—to see how well we are enabling ourselves for democracy.

The book evaluates the state of democracy in Western society comprehensively, and where it finds democracy lacking it prescribes as well as analyzes. It is not bound by what might be immediately practical but adventurously advances ideas that are worthy of at least hypothetical consideration. It does not, in other words, bind us within our current limits and prejudices.

The author does not analyze and prescribe as an expert in political science but rather as a citizen addressing his fellow citizens. As a confirmed democrat, he makes no apology for a bias toward self-governance, for people freely deciding together on their own fate.

The content is presented as independent notes. The book may, therefore, be read satisfactorily from cover to cover or just by picking and choosing areas of particular interest to the reader.