Reforming Democracies

Even well-established democracies need reform, and any successful effort to reform democracies must look beyond conventional institutions—elections, political parties, special interests, legislatures and their relations with chief executives—to do so.

Expanding a traditional vision of the institutions of representative democracy, Douglas A. Chalmers examines six aspects of political practice relating to the people being represented, the structure of those who make law and policy, and the links between those structures and the people. Chalmers concludes with a discussion of where successful reform needs to take place: we must pay attention to a democratic ordering of the constant reconfiguration of decision making patterns; we must recognize the crucial role of information in deliberation; and we must incorporate noncitizens and foreigners into the political system, even when they are not the principal beneficiaries.

Preface
Introduction: Why Do We Need Institutional Reform?
Part I. The Concepts
1. Rethinking the Institutions of Representative Democracy
Part II. The People
2. Which "People" Are Represented in a Representative Democracy?
3. Quasi-Citizens in the Community Are Represented
4. Quasi-Citizens in Other Jurisdictions Are Represented
Part III. The Links
5. Connecting People and Decision Makers
6. Organizations and Their Alliances Change Rapidly
7. Personal Networks Are Important
Part IV. The Decision Makers
8. Law- and Policy Making
9. Deliberation Is as Important as Bargaining
10. Decisions Are Made in Multiple Venues
Conclusion: A Review
Notes
Works Cited
Suggested Readings
Index