Participatory Democracy Versus Elitist Democracy: Lessons from Brazil (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9781403963062)

William Nylen begins by discussing North Americans' love-hate relationship with politics and politicians, then shows how Brazilians feel the same way (as do many citizens of democracies throughout the world). He argues that this is so because contemporary democracies have increasingly trickled up and away from so-called 'average citizens'. We now live in a world of 'Elitist Democracies' essentially constructed of, by and for moneyed, well-connected and ethically-challenged elites. Fortunately, there are alternatives, and that's where Brazil offers valuable lessons. Experiments in local-level participatory democracy, put into practice in Brazil by the Workers Party show both the promise and the practical limitations of efforts to promote 'popular participation' and citizen empowerment.

Author: W. Nylen,L. Dodd
ISBN-10: 1403963061
ISBN-13: 9781403963062
Publisher: Palgrave MacMillan
Language: English
Published: 11/13/2003
Pages: 247
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 1.05lbs
Size: 8.60h x 5.70w x 1.00d

Review Citation(s):
Choice 07/01/2004 pg. 2117