New ways of doing democracy

Democracy develops. At present it isn't working because people can't see how their votes can make any difference to the capitalist system and its effects. If you are doing well, you will vote to perpetuate it. If you are marginalised and alienated and plain poor, what will you vote for? You know nothing will change. You don't see anyone like yourself to vote for, or anyone who can represent you.

This is what Russell Brand is saying in his new book: Revolution. He is saying: Give us something that addresses the issues of global capitalism, or seeks to change its effects, and we will vote for that! Russell was on Start the Week this week talking about his book, and I think explaining his point of view quite well. He is everywhere at the moment waving a banner and making speeches. He is trying to wake people up!  I think he is making a difference. He has a channel on Youtube: the Trews. Some editions are better than others of course; the major problem is that he can't stop joking about people's names etc. and the jokes just occur to him in the middle of serious points, thus diminishing his arguments.

a recent edition of the 10 minute newsletter

But I'm not saying his jokes aren't funny. "Lord Sugar sounds like Willy Wonka's evil enemy", heehee.

also on Start the Week we had a leader from 38 degrees. This is a directly democratic online organisation. It's a bit like Change. org but unlike Change which runs an online platform for petitions put forward by individuals - I have signed several, mainly on feminist issues - 38 degrees has a central organisation. the idea is that once you have expressed an interest in online democracy by signing a petition you are a member, and then you can decide with everyone else in the membership which issues you will pursue - climate change? the new trade agreement? fracking? so the membership acts like a unit even though it is actually very diverse. But democracy isn't perfect and this new democracy is just developing: these are early days.

Another serious writer against capitalism is Naomi Wolf (whose latest book Russell considers in his book, but renders her thoughts in more accessible language, I believe). He is trying to make politics more accessible to people who feel they aren't knowledgeable enough to talk about politics. He wants them to make their voices heard. Intellectual snobbery would cut him down if he were not so articulate, and this is the danger to all the people he is trying to listen to, inform and engage.