Democracy - Revision history

Mathieugp: /* The Athenians */

2008-08-11T00:15:56Z

The Athenians

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:15, 11 August 2008
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	The principles of the Athenian system of government were ''isonomia'' (equality of share), ''isegoria'' (equality of speech), ''isocratia'' (equality of rule) and ''isogonia'' (equality of birth). Most public offices were not elective. The places were filled by citizens above the age of 30 who were selected by lot.		The principles of the Athenian system of government were ''isonomia'' (equality of share), ''isegoria'' (equality of speech), ''isocratia'' (equality of rule) and ''isogonia'' (equality of birth). Most public offices were not elective. The places were filled by citizens above the age of 30 who were selected by lot.

	Since we are all equal citizens, no one deserves to rule more than the others. Ideally, there would be no rulers at all. But we need some rulers for the organization of the city, so we will pick them at random among ourselves and we will all have ~~and~~ equal chance to be the ruler for a short period. To rule and be ruled in turn. That is the logic of designation by lot, one of the main characteristics of democracy according to Aristotle.		Since we are all equal citizens, no one among us deserves to rule more than the others. Ideally, there would be no rulers at all. But we need some rulers for the organization of the city, so we will pick them at random among ourselves and we will all have an equal chance to be the ruler for a short period. "To rule and be ruled in turn." That is the logic of designation by lot, one of the main characteristics of democracy according to [[w:Aristotle\|Aristotle]].

	Will the proper use of designation by lot make a triumphant return in our systems of government?		Will the proper use of designation by lot make a triumphant return in our systems of government?

Mathieugp: /* Elective oligarchy, aka "representative democracy" */

2008-02-17T05:21:41Z

Elective oligarchy, aka "representative democracy"

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:21, 17 February 2008
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	== Elective oligarchy, aka "representative democracy" ==		== Elective oligarchy, aka "representative democracy" ==

	The constitution of a legitimate body of representation responsible for the adoption of laws and surveillance of the executive is the central problem to solve in systems of government some had the arrogance (or ignorance) to label "democratic" on the sole account of one of its feature, the universal suffrage of representatives. It is wiser to consider that democracy is still a target, that we have not gotten there yet and must continue to work for its realization within our contemporary societies.		The constitution of a legitimate body of representation responsible for the adoption of laws and surveillance of the executive is the central problem to solve in systems of government some had the arrogance (or ignorance) to label "democratic" on the sole account of one of its feature, the universal suffrage for the election of representatives. It is wiser to consider that democracy is still a target, that we have not gotten there yet and must continue to work for its realization within our contemporary societies. As a system, democracy cannot be reduced to one feature "democratic" elections.

	The careful study of voting theory allows citizens to understand why, in Western regimes, they have for a long time been getting the feeling that voting every 4-5 years rarely resulted in the popular voice making it all the way to government officials' ears. That is because making elections serve the purpose of democratic government is as difficult as corruption is easy.		The careful study of voting theory allows citizens to understand why, in Western regimes, they have for a long time been getting the feeling that voting every 4-5 years rarely resulted in the popular voice making it all the way to government officials' ears. That is because making elections serve the purpose of democratic government is as difficult as corruption is easy.

Mathieugp at 20:27, 7 August 2007

2007-08-07T20:27:15Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:27, 7 August 2007
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	Québec inherited a political system modelled on British Parliamentarism with the Constitutional Act of 1791. The voting system in use in all of Canada's 11 parliaments is known as [[Wikipedia:First-past-the-post_election_system\|first-past-the-post]] and is arguably the worst way to elect the members of a body of representation.		Québec inherited a political system modelled on British Parliamentarism with the [[Constitutional Act of 1791]]. The voting system in use in all of Canada's 11 parliaments is known as [[Wikipedia:First-past-the-post_election_system\|first-past-the-post]] and is arguably the worst way to elect the members of a body of representation.

	As if the electoral system wasn't flawed enough by itself, a careful study of how Athenian democracy really worked in the details reveals that elections have little to do with democracy and that in fact the majority of the magistrates were taken by lot among volunteer citizens!		As if the electoral system wasn't flawed enough by itself, a careful study of how Athenian democracy really worked in the details reveals that elections have little to do with democracy and that in fact the majority of the magistrates were taken by lot among volunteer citizens!

Mathieugp: /* Elective oligarchy, aka "representative democracy" */

2007-08-03T21:17:45Z

Elective oligarchy, aka "representative democracy"

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:17, 3 August 2007
Line 5:		Line 5:
	== Elective oligarchy, aka "representative democracy" ==		== Elective oligarchy, aka "representative democracy" ==

	The constitution of a legitimate body of representation responsible for the adoption of laws and surveillance of the executive is the central problem to solve in systems of government some had the arrogance (or ignorance) to label "democratic" on the sole account of one of its feature. It is wiser to consider that democracy is still a target, that we have not gotten there yet and must continue to work for its realization within our contemporary societies.		The constitution of a legitimate body of representation responsible for the adoption of laws and surveillance of the executive is the central problem to solve in systems of government some had the arrogance (or ignorance) to label "democratic" on the sole account of one of its feature, the universal suffrage of representatives. It is wiser to consider that democracy is still a target, that we have not gotten there yet and must continue to work for its realization within our contemporary societies.

	The careful study of voting theory allows citizens to understand why, in Western regimes, they have for a long time been getting the feeling that voting every 4-5 years rarely resulted in the popular voice making it all the way to government officials' ears. That is because making elections serve the purpose of democratic government is as difficult as corruption is easy.		The careful study of voting theory allows citizens to understand why, in Western regimes, they have for a long time been getting the feeling that voting every 4-5 years rarely resulted in the popular voice making it all the way to government officials' ears. That is because making elections serve the purpose of democratic government is as difficult as corruption is easy.

Mathieugp: /* Elective oligarchy, aka "representative democracy" */

2007-07-06T21:51:24Z

Elective oligarchy, aka "representative democracy"

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:51, 6 July 2007
Line 5:		Line 5:
	== Elective oligarchy, aka "representative democracy" ==		== Elective oligarchy, aka "representative democracy" ==

	The constitution of a legitimate body of representation responsible for the adoption of laws and surveillance of the executive is the central problem to solve in systems of government some had the arrogance (or ignorance) to label "democratic". ~~Get this straight:~~ democracy is still a target, we have not gotten there yet and must continue to work for its realization within our contemporary societies.		The constitution of a legitimate body of representation responsible for the adoption of laws and surveillance of the executive is the central problem to solve in systems of government some had the arrogance (or ignorance) to label "democratic" on the sole account of one of its feature. It is wiser to consider that democracy is still a target, that we have not gotten there yet and must continue to work for its realization within our contemporary societies.

	The careful study of voting theory allows citizens to understand why, in Western regimes, they have for a long time been getting the feeling that voting every 4-5 years rarely resulted in the popular voice making it all the way to government officials' ears. That is because making elections serve the purpose of democratic government is difficult.		The careful study of voting theory allows citizens to understand why, in Western regimes, they have for a long time been getting the feeling that voting every 4-5 years rarely resulted in the popular voice making it all the way to government officials' ears. That is because making elections serve the purpose of democratic government is as difficult as corruption is easy.

	* [[Wikipedia:Voting System\|Voting systems]] in Wikipedia		* [[Wikipedia:Voting System\|Voting systems]] in Wikipedia

Mathieugp: /* The Athenians */

2007-05-08T20:03:58Z

The Athenians

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:03, 8 May 2007
Line 27:		Line 27:
	Will the proper use of designation by lot make a triumphant return in our systems of government?		Will the proper use of designation by lot make a triumphant return in our systems of government?

	* [http://etext.library.adelaide.edu.au/a/aristotle/athenian/ The Athenian Constitution] by Aristotle ~~(translated by Sir Frederic G. Kenyon)~~		* [http://etext.library.adelaide.edu.au/a/aristotle/athenian/ The Athenian Constitution] by Aristotle
	* [[Wikipedia:Athenian democracy\|Athenian democracy]] in Wikipedia		* [[Wikipedia:Athenian democracy\|Athenian democracy]] in Wikipedia
	* [[Wikipedia:Cleisthenes\|Cleisthenes]] in Wikipedia		* [[Wikipedia:Cleisthenes\|Cleisthenes]] in Wikipedia
	* [[Wikipedia:Isonomia\|Isonomia]] in Wikipedia		* [[Wikipedia:Isonomia\|Isonomia]] in Wikipedia

Mathieugp at 20:03, 8 May 2007

2007-05-08T20:03:09Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:03, 8 May 2007
Line 1:		Line 1:
	Québec inherited a political system modelled on British Parliamentarism with the Constitutional Act of 1791. The voting system in use in all of Canada's 11 parliaments is known as [[Wikipedia:First-past-the-post_election_system\|first-past-the-post]] and is arguably the worst way to elect the members of a body of representation.		Québec inherited a political system modelled on British Parliamentarism with the Constitutional Act of 1791. The voting system in use in all of Canada's 11 parliaments is known as [[Wikipedia:First-past-the-post_election_system\|first-past-the-post]] and is arguably the worst way to elect the members of a body of representation.

	As if the electoral system wasn't flawed enough by itself, a careful study of how Athenian democracy really worked in the details reveals that elections have little to do with democracy and that in fact the majority of the magistrates were taken by lot among volunteer ~~citizen.~~		As if the electoral system wasn't flawed enough by itself, a careful study of how Athenian democracy really worked in the details reveals that elections have little to do with democracy and that in fact the majority of the magistrates were taken by lot among volunteer citizens!

	== Elective oligarchy, aka "representative democracy" ==		== Elective oligarchy, aka "representative democracy" ==

	The constitution of a legitimate body of representation responsible for the adoption of laws and surveillance of the executive is the central problem to solve in systems of government some had the arrogance (or ignorance) to label "democratic". Get this straight: democracy is still a target, we have not gotten there yet and must continue to work for its realization within our contemporary societies. The careful study of voting theory allows citizens to understand why, in Western regimes, they have for a long time been getting the feeling that voting every 4-5 years rarely resulted in the popular voice making it all the way to government officials' ears. That is because making elections serve the purpose of democratic government is difficult.		The constitution of a legitimate body of representation responsible for the adoption of laws and surveillance of the executive is the central problem to solve in systems of government some had the arrogance (or ignorance) to label "democratic". Get this straight: democracy is still a target, we have not gotten there yet and must continue to work for its realization within our contemporary societies.

			The careful study of voting theory allows citizens to understand why, in Western regimes, they have for a long time been getting the feeling that voting every 4-5 years rarely resulted in the popular voice making it all the way to government officials' ears. That is because making elections serve the purpose of democratic government is difficult.

	* [[Wikipedia:Voting System\|Voting systems]] in Wikipedia		* [[Wikipedia:Voting System\|Voting systems]] in Wikipedia
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	== The Athenians ==		== The Athenians ==

	The principles of the Athenian system of government were ''isonomia'' (equality of share), ''isegoria'' (equality of speech), ''isocratia'' (equality of rule) and ''isogonia'' (equality of birth). Most public offices were not elective~~, but selected~~ by ~~lot among~~ citizens above the age of 30.		The principles of the Athenian system of government were ''isonomia'' (equality of share), ''isegoria'' (equality of speech), ''isocratia'' (equality of rule) and ''isogonia'' (equality of birth). Most public offices were not elective. The places were filled by citizens above the age of 30 who were selected by lot.

	Since we are all equal citizens, no one deserves to rule ~~over~~ the others. Ideally, there would be no rulers at all. But we need some rulers for the organization of the city, so we will pick them at random among us and we will all have and equal chance to be ruler for a short period. To rule and be ruled in turn. That is the logic of designation by lot, one of the main ~~characteristic~~ of democracy according to Aristotle.		Since we are all equal citizens, no one deserves to rule more than the others. Ideally, there would be no rulers at all. But we need some rulers for the organization of the city, so we will pick them at random among ourselves and we will all have and equal chance to be the ruler for a short period. To rule and be ruled in turn. That is the logic of designation by lot, one of the main characteristics of democracy according to Aristotle.

	Will the proper use of designation by lot make a triumphant return in our systems of government?		Will the proper use of designation by lot make a triumphant return in our systems of government?

	* [http://etext.library.adelaide.edu.au/a/aristotle/athenian/ The Athenian Constitution] by Aristotle (translated by Sir Frederic G. Kenyon)		* [http://etext.library.adelaide.edu.au/a/aristotle/athenian/ The Athenian Constitution] by Aristotle (translated by Sir Frederic G. Kenyon)

Mathieugp: /* The Athenians */

2007-05-07T15:12:03Z

The Athenians

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:12, 7 May 2007
Line 26:		Line 26:

	* [http://etext.library.adelaide.edu.au/a/aristotle/athenian/ The Athenian Constitution] by Aristotle (translated by Sir Frederic G. Kenyon)		* [http://etext.library.adelaide.edu.au/a/aristotle/athenian/ The Athenian Constitution] by Aristotle (translated by Sir Frederic G. Kenyon)
	* [[Wikipedia:Athenian democracy\|Athenian democracy]]		* [[Wikipedia:Athenian democracy\|Athenian democracy]] in Wikipedia
	* [[Wikipedia:Cleisthenes\|Cleisthenes]] in Wikipedia		* [[Wikipedia:Cleisthenes\|Cleisthenes]] in Wikipedia
	* [[Wikipedia:Isonomia\|Isonomia]] in Wikipedia		* [[Wikipedia:Isonomia\|Isonomia]] in Wikipedia

Mathieugp: /* Elective oligarchy, aka "representative democracy" */

2007-05-07T15:11:14Z

Elective oligarchy, aka "representative democracy"

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:11, 7 May 2007
Line 5:		Line 5:
	== Elective oligarchy, aka "representative democracy" ==		== Elective oligarchy, aka "representative democracy" ==

	The constitution of a legitimate body of representation is the central ~~question~~ to solve in systems of government some had the arrogance or ignorance to ~~call~~ "democratic". The careful study of voting theory allows citizens to understand why, in Western regimes, they have for a long time been getting the feeling that voting every 4-5 years rarely resulted in the popular voice making ~~its~~ way ~~over~~ to government officials.		The constitution of a legitimate body of representation responsible for the adoption of laws and surveillance of the executive is the central problem to solve in systems of government some had the arrogance (or ignorance) to label "democratic". Get this straight: democracy is still a target, we have not gotten there yet and must continue to work for its realization within our contemporary societies. The careful study of voting theory allows citizens to understand why, in Western regimes, they have for a long time been getting the feeling that voting every 4-5 years rarely resulted in the popular voice making it all the way to government officials' ears. That is because making elections serve the purpose of democratic government is difficult.

	* [[Wikipedia:Voting System\|Voting systems]] in Wikipedia		* [[Wikipedia:Voting System\|Voting systems]] in Wikipedia

Mathieugp: /* The Athenians */

2007-04-16T03:54:19Z

The Athenians

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:54, 16 April 2007
Line 21:		Line 21:
	The principles of the Athenian system of government were ''isonomia'' (equality of share), ''isegoria'' (equality of speech), ''isocratia'' (equality of rule) and ''isogonia'' (equality of birth). Most public offices were not elective, but selected by lot among citizens above the age of 30.		The principles of the Athenian system of government were ''isonomia'' (equality of share), ''isegoria'' (equality of speech), ''isocratia'' (equality of rule) and ''isogonia'' (equality of birth). Most public offices were not elective, but selected by lot among citizens above the age of 30.

	Since we are all equal citizens, no one deserves to rule over the others. Ideally, there would be no rulers at all. But we need some rulers for the organization of the city, so we will pick them at random among us and we will all have and equal chance to be ruler for a short period. To rule and be ruled in turn. That is the logic of designation by lot, one of the main characteristic of democracy according to Aristotle. Will the proper use of designation by lot make a triumphant return in our systems of government?		Since we are all equal citizens, no one deserves to rule over the others. Ideally, there would be no rulers at all. But we need some rulers for the organization of the city, so we will pick them at random among us and we will all have and equal chance to be ruler for a short period. To rule and be ruled in turn. That is the logic of designation by lot, one of the main characteristic of democracy according to Aristotle.

			Will the proper use of designation by lot make a triumphant return in our systems of government?

	* [http://etext.library.adelaide.edu.au/a/aristotle/athenian/ The Athenian Constitution] by Aristotle (translated by Sir Frederic G. Kenyon)		* [http://etext.library.adelaide.edu.au/a/aristotle/athenian/ The Athenian Constitution] by Aristotle (translated by Sir Frederic G. Kenyon)