With seven billion people on the planet it would be quite difficult to have some form of New England Town Meeting to insure the right of participation.
Fortunately since Magna Carta various forms of participatory democracy have evolved.
How man interact with each other in peace has been covered well by Plato, Aristotle and Socrates.
In terms of human history it seems democracy is preferable to anarchy, mob rule, theocracy, and governments who persuade with violence.
Democracy is not static. As a function of human development the forms of government will evolve.
Hopefully empowering individuals and benefiting all.
For those who fear Orwell or Malthus the only solace might be the overwhelming success of democracy on the planet.
History shows that those who fear the future are inevitably forced to be reactive. Force is the antithesis of democracy.
Democracy is predicated on hope and the aspiration of a better future.
Civil discourse and rational planning seem to go together.
| 