Random Selection in Politics

by Lyn Carson, Brian Martin

Overview

How might the entire citizenry of a country make the decisions that affect them? Carson and Martin provide the first accessible and comprehensive overview of random selection as a possible process for transforming our modern political systems. Building on the theoretical work of the likes of John Burbanheim and Fred Emery and drawing on their own work with social action groups, they outline a set of methods that go beyond the mere tapping of community opinion to reveal not only preferences but a more active role in creating the community.

Random selection, as Carson and Martin show, has been used in community participation in short-term decision making and long-term planning. It can be a powerful tool in the development of local, federal, and international policy. An important and innovative look at government decision making, this will be of primary interest to scholars and researchers in political theory and electoral systems, as well as political activists and reformers.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780275967024
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	12/30/1999
Pages:	176
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.56(d)
Lexile:	1260L (what's this?)

About the Author

LYN CARSON is Lecturer in the Department of Government and Public Administration at the University of Sydney./e She has published papers in jourbanals and community publications on topics ranging from democratic teaching strategies to women in politics.

BRIAN MARTIN is Associate Professor in Science and Technology Studies at the University of Wollongong, Australia./e He is the author of more than 150 major papers in the sciences and social sciences, in addition to six earlier books.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Random Selection in Decision Making
Direct Democracy
Citizen Participation without Random Selection
Citizen Participation with Random Selection: The Early Days
Citizen Participation with Random Selection: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
Sortition Futures
Strategies
Appendix: Examples of Citizen Participation
Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

Finding that the system of elected officials and hired bureaucrats isolates most people from the actual running of a government, Carson (government and public administration, U. of Sydney) and Martin (science and technology studies, U. of Wollongong, Australia) suggest drawing lots. They point out that the system worked pretty well in ancient Athens and is still credible enough to choose juries with. They set out mechanisms by which such a system would work. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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