Alternate Political System in Democracy

Democracy is defined as a rule of the people since the concept of Democracy originated in ancient Greece with the term coming from Greek words 'Demos' (people) and 'Kratos'  (rule). It is well thought to be the best form of government to promote intrinsic values of freedom and equality and enable citizens to play a role in their own governance.    

Democracy works best when they give incentives to pursue policies which benefit the citizens. Following are some of the major obstacles to democratic performance and to democratic stability - structural making them difficult to resolve but worth understanding.

1. Costs of identity Politics.

2. Economic insecurity and inequality.

3. Authoritarian threats.

4. Democracy and clientelism.

5. Technological developments.          

Reducing barriers to voting is a good idea but what's really needed is a shift to a multi-party system through proportional representation which will lead to an increase in voter turnout between 10 to 12 percent. In a market economy, consumers have  huge options for virtually every goods and services. How then, question arises, voter is excited with two choices at best, Young people want more choices.    One cannot make sense of current crisis of liberal democracy without understanding the seismic economic and demographic shifts that have transformed western democracies. Trust in political institutions including the electoral process itself are at an all time low. New converts to democracy in Europe and Middle east are sliding back into authoritarian rule.   

We have been so conditioned by the status quo that there has been little debate on alternatives. Digital technologies are creating challenges and opportunities for established and new democracies. A decade ago, digital technology was considered as a  tool enriching participation in democracies and undermining authoritarian  regimes.  

Alternative politics simply put is an alternative approach to governance. Alternative politics is what politics was supposed to be at its inception but now is a remedial path to an ideal democracy. Time has come to face an inconvenient realty that modern democracy in wealthy countries has enabled us to colonise the future. It is clear that a movement for the rights and interests of future generations is beginning to emerge on a global scale and is set to gain momentum over coming decades as the threat of ecological collapse and technological risk loom larger. 

The next democratic revolution that empowers future generations and decolonises the future may well be on the political horizon.               

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