Practical Postmodern Possibilities: Radical Democracy with a Twist

The concept of democracy is one of the oldest (and most intriguing) ideas to be discussed by those interested in the nature of politics. The emphasis on public participation in state affairs has been thought about and utilized in different ways by tyrants, philosophers, great leaders, teachers, and a dynamic group of other individuals. Democracy has been articulated as a value by both the Bush administration in 21st century America and by the Athenians in ancient Greece. Obviously, the meaning and value of democracy has shifted with the evolution of state systems as well as with the push of political theory. Regardless of these shifts Democracy has remained more of an ideal than a concrete way of guiding decision-making over the course of political governance; but an ideal that nonetheless founds itself in the value of public rule. Rather than using democracy as a way to determine which policies should exist in the state, democracy is a process for allowing (and encouraging) the citizens of the state to participate meaningfully in the formulation of those policies