Next Big Ideas Event: How Much Democracy Is Too Much?
Our next Big Ideas event will be on Tuesday 26 August; as usual we’ll be upstairs at The Wheatsheaf. Doors open at about 7:30 and we’ll aim to kick off at 8.
We tend to assume that “democracy” is a Good Thing, like love, learning or lucre. In that case, the question might seem bizarre: of course we should have as much democracy as possible, and no amount could be too much. Certainly any attempt to hold back greater public involvement in government is likely to seem illiberal.
Technological developments have made “more democracy” ever more feasible, to the point that online referenda, for example, could revolutionise the ways in which the people can hold their government to account. Even more than that, they offer the potential for people to become their own government, at least in some areas.
Hansard reporter and Westminster village resident Alasdair Mackenzie will introduce the discussion. We’ll consider the recent Irish referendum on Lisbon and the desirability of constant universal involvement by everybody in every corner of government.
Do we really want to micromanage ourselves, or is there life yet in the old idea of representative democracy? Will we end up in a utopian, technological Athens in which the people truly do govern themselves? Or will we find ourselves living under the tyranny of the majority?
It’s the day after the August bank holiday, so grab a jug of Pimms (or cider, as you prefer) and prepare for a summer evening’s thought-provoking discussion. Whether it’s your first time or you’re a dyed-in-the-wool regular you’ll be most welcome.
You can find out more about our events on our front page or by contacting us.
