future of democracy in Europe - trends, analyses and reforms
This publication addresses the forces in action
in our European societies and both the "challenges and opportunities"
they represent for democracy. It also analyses the relation of democratic
"actors and processes", in relation to "challenges and opportunities"
and to the intrinsic tendencies of the practice of "real-existing"
democracy. It concludes by proposing twenty-eight reforms, that
are intended to make democratic institutions work better and bring
democracy closer to the will of the people.
Developing democracy in Europe
This publication argues that, in expanding its
acquis, the Council of Europe should consider clarifying
and bringing together the values and basic principles that it seeks
to articulate, through the diversity of its instruments. The Council
should also explore the current historical reasons which have led
to varying interpretations of the acquis and which have given
rise to some very different practices in the member states. It will
be the Council of Europe's task to reflect upon new directions which
democracy should take in the future which will help accommodate
on the future of democracy in Europe
This publication contains major contributions
to the conference which marked the end of the three-year integrated
project "Making democratic institutions work". This conference was
aimed at debating proposals for democratic reform and covered a
broad range of topics, including: more inclusive elections; the
financing of political parties; deliberation mechanisms, popular
initiatives and referendums; and, in particular, how modern communication
technologies can affect the democratic process.