Demarchy exploits the possibilities of modern communications to give new role to public discussion. It takes the initiative in formulating policy on each specific problem out of the hands of political parties and into the hands of those most strongly affected by that particular problem. John Burnheim explains why this needs to be done.
Until recently, there was no theory to make sense of lotteries and what they can do. The past few decades have changed that with a veritable renaissance of studies on lotteries. This book collects fourteen of the most important of these papers, and offers a critical introduction tying them together.
Essays deriving from the conference "Selection by Lottery: Theory and Practice" held in 2008 under the auspices of Sciences Po, in Paris.
Lotteries are widely used to decide places (seats) at schools, colleges and universities. Conall Boyle explores many examples to find out why. The emotional turmoil that the use of ballots can cause to students and parents alike is graphically described.
The central feature of every true lottery is that all rational evaluation is deliberately excluded. Once this principle is grasped, the author argues, we can begin to understand exactly what benefits sortition can bring to the political community.
Two essays, printed back to back in a single volume, offer complementary solutions to the democratic deficit in Britain and the USA.
Thomas Gataker was a disputatious Puritan divine. His The Nature and Uses of Lotteries (1627) was the first systematic exposition of a modern view of lotteries, not just as a form of gambling, but as a fair method of division.
Before New Labour came to power and when even the prospect of reform of Britain's House of Lords was regarded with scepticism, the authors of this book developed the idea of selecting part of a new upper house by lot. This is a new edition of the original proposal.
This book is about the virtues and social justice of random distribution. This revised second edition includes a new introduction.
This book examines the historical forces that gave rise to the modern political party and questions its role in the post-ideological age. If we all now share the liberal market consensus, then what is the function of the party?