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Permanent Citizens’ Assemblies

A New Model for Public Deliberation

Larry Patriquin

For a growing number of people, democracy has become synonymous with broken promises and abandoned commitments. Governments everywhere are not listening to their citizens’ concerns on matters of fundamental importance. As a result, ordinary men and women of all political persuasions are demanding transformations, not just to government policies, but to the methods of governance themselves. They realize that in the periods between general elections, they have great difficulty having their voices heard, because they have no formal role in constructing political agendas.

This book focuses on one way to address this problem, by establishing a continual dialogue between individuals and their governments, hence forcing politicians to constantly pay attention to “the people.” Larry Patriquin argues for the creation of permanent citizens’ assemblies, which would be charged with examining issues of public concern and giving advice to governments. For those troubled by our current democratic impasse, Permanent Citizens’ Assemblies: A New Model for Public Deliberation will give hope that practical reforms are possible and that new institutions can become effective components of governance in nations across the globe.

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers / Rowman & Littlefield International

Pages: 106 • Trim: 6¼ x 9

978-1-78552-341-0 • Hardback • December 2019 • $111.00 • (£85.00)

978-1-78552-342-7 • Paperback • December 2019 • $47.00 • (£36.00)

978-1-78552-343-4 • eBook • December 2019 • $44.50 • (£35.00)

Series: Rowman & Littlefield International - Policy Impacts

Subjects: Political Science / Public Policy / General, Political Science / Political Ideologies / General, Political Science / Political Process / Campaigns & Elections, Open Access Titles / General

Permanent Citizens’ Assemblies

A New Model for Public Deliberation

Hardback

Paperback

eBook

Summary

For a growing number of people, democracy has become synonymous with broken promises and abandoned commitments. Governments everywhere are not listening to their citizens’ concerns on matters of fundamental importance. As a result, ordinary men and women of all political persuasions are demanding transformations, not just to government policies, but to the methods of governance themselves. They realize that in the periods between general elections, they have great difficulty having their voices heard, because they have no formal role in constructing political agendas.

This book focuses on one way to address this problem, by establishing a continual dialogue between individuals and their governments, hence forcing politicians to constantly pay attention to “the people.” Larry Patriquin argues for the creation of permanent citizens’ assemblies, which would be charged with examining issues of public concern and giving advice to governments. For those troubled by our current democratic impasse, Permanent Citizens’ Assemblies: A New Model for Public Deliberation will give hope that practical reforms are possible and that new institutions can become effective components of governance in nations across the globe.

Details

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers / Rowman & Littlefield International

Pages: 106 • Trim: 6¼ x 9

978-1-78552-341-0 • Hardback • December 2019 • $111.00 • (£85.00)

978-1-78552-342-7 • Paperback • December 2019 • $47.00 • (£36.00)

978-1-78552-343-4 • eBook • December 2019 • $44.50 • (£35.00)

Series: Rowman & Littlefield International - Policy Impacts

Subjects: Political Science / Public Policy / General, Political Science / Political Ideologies / General, Political Science / Political Process / Campaigns & Elections, Open Access Titles / General

Author

Larry Patriquin is Professor of Social Welfare and Social Development, Nipissing University, North Bay, Canada.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements
List of Tables
Introduction
1. Democracy Ancient and Modern
2. How Would a Citizens’ Assembly Work?
3. Multiple Citizens’ Assemblies
4. Critics of the People
5. Costs and Benefits
6. Replacing the Senate?
Conclusion
References
Index

Reviews

This is a timely book with a constructive solution to the problems that are hounding representative governments worldwide. Larry Patriquin’s proposal is sensible and workable, yet innovative. He offers a perfectly-reasonable but exciting reform that might just be the catalyst that is needed to rescue electoral democracy from its current malaise.
— Lyn Carson, Professor in the School of Business, University of Sydney

Permanent Citizens’ Assemblies

A New Model for Public Deliberation

Larry Patriquin

Permanent Citizens’ Assemblies

A New Model for Public Deliberation

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