Strengthening democracy has been much discussed in recent years, both within the formulation of UK government policy and by an enormous and growing 'alternative' democratic movement which has developed for different reasons in many different parts of the world. The demonstrations against the World Trade Organisation meeting in Seattle in November 1999 were just the latest and most powerful evidence that these formerly disparate voices are beginning to find common cause. Environmental issues, trade, social justice and the power of transnational corporations are all vital questions for many of the groups that demonstrated in Seattle, but it was their focus on participation and democracy which was one of the most important recurring themes.
展开▼
