New from me and Jenny on Substack:
https://markmckergow.substack.com/p/neighbourhood-democracy-why-we-urgently
Jenny Clarke and I wrote this piece recently for the new In The Loop blog series by the European Consortium on Political Research. This strand is hosted by my good friend and colleague Titus Alexander, and is about how political science might help in saving democracy. (Read Titus’ introduction to the series here.)
Conventional democracy does not serve the community or neighbourhood level well. Mark McKergow and Jenny Clarke argue we must find alternative ways to facilitate inclusive action, support those seeking to make a difference (often with tiny resources), and build co-operation. Here, they set out key features of neighbourhood democracy, and suggest relevant practices as inspiration
In the UK (at least), the word ‘democracy’ implies the party-based oppositional systems we see at Westminster, the devolved nations, and in every town hall in the land. One group is in power and charged to get things done, another group opposes. Such systems are based on classical ideas of robust truth standing firm in the face of criticism; however much mud is slung, truth will prevail.
The shortcomings have rarely been clearer than in the past decade of polarisation. A deeply divided political landscape actively discourages co-operation between groups. The opposition want to take power, so they must make the others look bad. The governing side looks weak if they take up ideas from the opposition, who in turn look weak if they support a half-good idea.
Read more at https://markmckergow.substack.com/p/neighbourhood-democracy-why-we-urgently
