The Voice of the People: Public Opinion and DemocracyYale University Press, 1995 - 204 pages Ours is an era of stunted public discourse, this text argues, where instant polls, 900 numbers, orchestrated petitions and talk-show campaigning appear to have overwhelmed participatory democracy. What has become of the freely reasoned public debate and informed consent of the governed that, as cherished principle, we hold will produce better leaders and better public decisions? Where or what is the voice of the people today? |