“Street Democracy” and the Implications of the Simplification of Decision Making Process (Audio Course)

Description

In recent years, the world has witnessed a significant rise in populist movements advocating for forms of ‘street’ democracy.

‘Street’ democracy refers to the practice of engaging in direct forms of political participation, such as protests, demonstrations, and grassroots organizing, outside of formal governmental or electoral processes. This approach emphasizes the power of public mobilization and direct action as means to achieve political change.

This course compares the normative functions of the so called “street democracy” with one very dark historical example for such a simplification – lynching. Understanding these commonalities and differences is crucial for addressing the broader implications of simplified decision-making processes. It underscores the need for balancing direct public engagement with the preservation of legal and democratic norms to ensure that the simplification of governance does not come at the cost of justice, fairness, and social cohesion.

mp3, 30 min 38 sec