The essay argues that the current perception of democracy as simply voting in elections is a recent and limited understanding. Historically, democracy meant active participation and representation by lot, ensuring equal power for all. However, modern elections tend to concentrate power among a few, leading to an elected oligarchy rather than true democracy. This oligarchic system fails to address societal diversity, exacerbates crises like climate change, and fosters distrust. To remedy this, the essay proposes transitioning to genuinely democratic institutions based on participation, representation by lot, and deliberation. It suggests drawing inspiration from historical and contemporary examples of true democracy, including indigenous and non-Western practices.
