A Defense of Participatory Democracy

Abstract

In order to defend participatory democracy in large-member voluntary organizations, Michels's challenge to traditional democratic theory must be answered. By arguing that the technical, sociological, and psychological processes of modern organizations invariably result in leaders dominating members, Michels questioned democratic theorists' assertions that participation is selfreinforcing and that participation produces popular control. Defending participatory democracy, then, involves showing how the problems of participation and popular control can be overcome in formally representative organizations. The answer proposed is that collective solidarity or community formed by those reacting to injustice and committed to egalitarian social relations provides the motivation for mass participation and the basis for popular control in modern union and party organizations.

Between the Rock and a Hard Place: The Africa Union and Democracy Promotion in Africa

“…In this wise, Guttmann and Thompson (2004:7) view democracy, "as a form of government in which free and equal citizens (and their representative), justify decisions in a process in which they give one another reason that is mutually acceptable and generally accessible". Second, the Schumpeter (electoral) approach to democracy view democracy, procedurally, through the prism of competitive elections (see O'Gorman1973;Wolfe 1971;Schmiltter and Karl 1986). Indeed, a leading exponent of this school of thought, Schumpeter (1952:32), once remarks, «democracy does not mean and cannot mean that the people rule in any real sense of the term, 'people' and 'rule'.…”

What happens after a local referendum? The effect of direct democratic decision-making on protest intentions

“…Pateman (1970, 45) emphasizes that 'the experience of participation in some way leaves the individual better psychologically equipped to undertake further participation in the future'. Through participation, citizens develop 'democratic personalities' (Pateman, 1970, 64); and once these personalities are developed, they are more likely to participate again, which is why the political process becomes self-sustaining and self-fulfilling (Wolfe, 1985).…”

La politización innecesaria: el régimen político mexicano y sus exigencias de pasividad ciudadana a los damnificados

“…También está produciendo importantes aportaciones el Instituto de Investigaciones de las Naciones Unidas para el Desarrollo Social (UNRISD), en su Programa de Participación. Véase la revista Diálogos y los documentos ocasionales del Programa; también véase Wolfe (1985).…”