Beyond Democracy: A Radical Proposal for a Just Society by Michael Stone

Beyond Democracy

by Michael E. Stone

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1765 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	578 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported

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In his groundbreaking book, Beyond Democracy, Michael Stone argues that the current democratic system is failing to meet the needs of the people. He proposes a radical new system that would give citizens a greater voice in government and empower them to make decisions that affect their lives.

Stone's proposal is based on the idea of "participatory democracy." Participatory democracy is a form of government in which citizens are directly involved in the decision-making process. This means that citizens would have a say in everything from the laws that are passed to the policies that are implemented.

Stone believes that participatory democracy is the only way to create a truly just and equitable society. He argues that the current system, in which a small number of elected officials make decisions for the rest of us, is inherently undemocratic and unjust.

The Problems with Democracy

Stone identifies a number of problems with the current democratic system. First, he argues that the system is too heavily influenced by money. Wealthy individuals and corporations have a disproportionate amount of influence over the political process, which means that their interests are often prioritized over the interests of the general public.

Second, Stone argues that the system is too slow and unresponsive. It can take years for new laws and policies to be passed, and even then, they are often watered down or blocked by special interests. This makes it difficult for citizens to have a meaningful impact on the decisions that affect their lives.

Third, Stone argues that the system is too adversarial. The two major political parties are constantly at odds with each other, which makes it difficult to find common ground and compromise. This gridlock prevents the government from addressing the most pressing issues facing the country.

The Solution: Participatory Democracy

Stone proposes participatory democracy as the solution to the problems with the current system. Participatory democracy is a form of government in which citizens are directly involved in the decision-making process. This means that citizens would have a say in everything from the laws that are passed to the policies that are implemented.

Stone believes that participatory democracy is the only way to create a truly just and equitable society. He argues that the current system, in which a small number of elected officials make decisions for the rest of us, is inherently undemocratic and unjust.

Participatory democracy would give citizens a greater voice in government and empower them to make decisions that affect their lives. This would lead to a more just and equitable society in which the interests of the people are prioritized over the interests of the wealthy and powerful.

How Participatory Democracy Would Work

Stone proposes a number of ways to implement participatory democracy. One way would be to create citizen assemblies. Citizen assemblies are groups of randomly selected citizens who are tasked with deliberating on and making recommendations on specific issues. These recommendations would then be voted on by the entire citizenry.

Another way to implement participatory democracy would be to create participatory budgeting. Participatory budgeting is a process in which citizens decide how to allocate a portion of the government budget. This would give citizens a direct say in how their tax dollars are spent.

Stone also proposes a number of other reforms to the democratic system, such as ranked-choice voting and campaign finance reform. These reforms would make the system more fair and representative of the will of the people.

Michael Stone's Beyond Democracy is a radical proposal for a just society. He argues that the current democratic system is failing to meet the needs of the people and proposes a new system that would give citizens a greater voice in government and empower them to make decisions that affect their lives.

Stone's proposal is based on the idea of participatory democracy. Participatory democracy is a form of government in which citizens are directly involved in the decision-making process. Stone believes that participatory democracy is the only way to create a truly just and equitable society.

Beyond Democracy is a challenging and provocative book that offers a new way of thinking about democracy. It is a must-read for anyone who is interested in creating a more just and equitable world.

Beyond Democracy

by Michael E. Stone

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1765 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	578 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE