Democratic Design

by Michael Saward

Democracy faces stern tests around the world in the twenty-first century. Democratic Design argues that to respond effectively and creatively, democrats need to work with a versatile new toolkit of concepts and institutions. The book assembles this toolkit ― the democratic design framework ― through an original blend of design thinking and democratic theory and practice. It shows how to use the framework to renew and enliven our ideas of democracy across a range of contexts.

The book explores a wide range of institutions, from the familiar (such as parliamentary procedures) to the innovative (such as citizens' assemblies). It underlines the importance of systemic and contextual design, and the practical enactment of democratic values such as equality, freedom and participation.

Democratic Design shows how a comprehensive approach to rethinking the present and future of democratic governance is possible, indeed essential. It draws together, and moves beyond, the best of existing theories and models by devising a new framework that is both practical and theoretically robust.

Genres: Politics

272 pages, Hardcover

Published March 14, 2021

Reviews

[Letotheon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting way to start thinking about democracy in a more creative way. From a "designing perspective" with a heavy focus on mixing different democratic ideas and concepts without getting stuck on the fundamental philosophical and normative questions.

Only three stars because I wished the book would go deeper into the theoretical aspects of its topics.