by Matt McCaffrey
Mises.org
Disenchantment with the democratic process is a common theme of contemporary politics. The major complaint behind this trend is the idea that “our” political institutions have been subverted by powerful interests that deny voters a meaningful voice in the decision process. Concern is likewise growing that democratic decisions do little to safeguard the rights of voting minorities.
These criticisms hold some grains of truth, though just as often they’re used by losing parties to rationalize outcomes they don’t approve of. But it’s true that people are increasingly angry with a process that leaves them high and dry whenever they happen to be counted among the unlucky 49%.
If only there were a system of democratic decision-making in which all members of society had a voice, a system that couldn’t be controlled by the rich and powerful.