Participatory Democracy versus Elitist Democracy: Lessons from Brazil

Nylen, W.; Dodd, L.

William Nylen begins by discussing North Americans' love-hate relationship with politics and politicians, then shows how Brazilians feel the same way (as do many citizens of democracies throughout the world). He argues that this is so because contemporary democracies have increasingly trickled up and away from so-called 'average citizens'. We now live in a world of 'Elitist Democracies' essentially constructed of, by and for moneyed, well-connected and ethically-challenged elites. Fortunately, there are alternatives, and that's where Brazil offers valuable lessons. Experiments in local-level participatory democracy, put into practice in Brazil by the Workers Party show both the promise and the practical limitations of efforts to promote 'popular participation' and citizen empowerment.

Details

Published by: Palgrave Macmillan

Publication Date: 2003-11-13

Format: Paperback

ISBN-13: 9781349527281

DOI: 10.1057/9781403980304

Dimensions: 216cm x140cm

Pages: 247