THE ECOLOGIST         JULY/AUGUST 2004         Politics   Direct democracy

1. Douglas Smith: Direct democracy

2. Ivo Mosley: The myth of modern democracy

"Voting for representatives began with the Romans as a way of suppressing democracy. Thus an element of democracy was introduced, while true power remained within the ruling class."

"Britain has fallen out of love with conventional politics. Could Swiss-style direct democracy end the current crisis of political legitimacy?"

"Far from being proof of our political emancipation, our right to vote in parliamentary elections is a symbol of power that keeps us powerless."

These two articles can also be found in the MS Word or PDF formats among the submissions to the B.C. Citizens Assembly on Electoral Reform