Neglecting Democracy (Feb 2006)
Declan McHugh & Philip Parvin
ISBN 978 0900432 72 9
Updated version: Available free via download
Original version: Available free via download
As the debate intensifies around why increasing numbers of people feel estranged from the political process, the Hansard Society has re-published its pamphlet Neglecting Democracy which analyses the complex relationship between citizens and the state and examines solutions put forward to increase political participation.
The authors of Neglecting Democracy, Declan McHugh and Philip Parvin, argue that the future of democracy cannot lie in reducing the representative system of democracy to be replaced by a more ‘direct' democracy. This would not bring marginalised and excluded groups into the democratic process - rather it would drown out minority voices.
If those in politics are serious about engaging and involving the public in the political process then they must look at how people can be asked to engage with institutions, not instead of them.
Neglecting Democracy suggests ways in which the current system can be changed to re-establish the crucial link between people, their political institutions, and the decisions made in their name.