Hyperdemocracy

the long version

"What is the future of democracy? Is it steadily improving in scope, depth, and accountability? Or is it being marginalized by economic forces? Or - in a view not very often heard - has it already progressed too far? This book argues that none of these assessments is right, and instead that democracy is becoming 'hyper.' An increasingly well-educated citizenry and freer flow of information contribute to the intensification of democracy, but at the same time begin to impede decision-making by contesting more and more of the cognitive preconditions that decision-making rests upon. Under hyperdemocracy, democracy begins to undermine itself. This book applies the idea of 'reflexive modernization' to democratic theory, setting out a new perspective on the challenges democracy faces"--