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Democratic Design

Democracy is a crucial ideal – ‘rule by the people’ - and set of political practices, such as voting in free and fair elections. It is also a deeply contested ideal and practice. Proponents of very different policies or ideologies deploy the rhetoric of democracy in their favour, and to attack opponents – witness the debates about Brexit in the UK.

The ambiguities at the heart of democracy – what is it, how should it be practiced? – are viewed by some as a weakness: maybe it is an idea empty of real meaning? However, this very ambiguity may reflect something positive and offer opportunities. Perhaps democracy is flexible: it can be thought of and done differently in different places and contexts. Could democracy be a matter of design for different purposes and contexts; creative and experimental uses of a range of institutions enacting distinct ideals?

The module explores democratic design, moving beyond the notion that there are separate ‘models’ of democracy. Looking at a range of democratic principles (equality, freedom, etc.) and institutions (from the familiar such as parliaments to the new and innovative, such as citizens’ assemblies), it interrogates the notions of democracy and design. It considers new approaches to democratic change in the face of varied challenges to democratic organisation and effectiveness.

Democratic Design is an experimental module in which ideas will be debated and tested without preordained conclusions.