This has been a traditional argument for local and participative democracy (Pateman, 1973).

This engagement with millions is to be replaced by a system which involves thousands, hardly an effective step towards pluralism or participative democracy.

Contemporary commentators remarked on the efficacy of the system, and foreigners were amazed that participative democracy could not only exist, but also function.

Firstly we believe representative government to be an unprincipled fraud and propose a radical alternative in the form of participative democracy.

Through participative democracy the hopes, wishes and aspirations of Ulster's people will be expressed and acted on.

These programmes have, therefore, been important channels for participative democracy, the rationale of the citizen for Europe.

But never, never, in any circumstances, have I argued that such a more direct and participative democracy can be used against representative democracy.

Nonetheless, the citizens' initiative is a positive idea and a step towards participative democracy which we must now put into practice.

Our society needs to invent new forms and practices that combine representative with participative democracy.

Representative democracy needs to be held accountable by participative democracy.