International Resources
Decidim > Decidim is an open source software platform for citizen participation originating in Barcelona.
Ideemos > Ideemos is a Colombian research and consulting organization that provides services to the public sector, companies and non-governmental organizations in the field of public and democratic innovation.
IOPD > The International Observatory on Participatory Democracy (IOPD) is an international network open to all cities, organizations and research centers interested in learning about, exchanging and applying experiences of participatory democracy at the local level.
Children of a Modest Star > In the groundbreaking Children of a Modest Star, Jonathan S. Blake and Nils Gilman not only challenge dominant ways of thinking about humanity's relationship to the planet and the political forms that presently govern it, but also present a new, innovative framework that corresponds to our inherently planetary condition.
United Cities and Local Governments > United Cities and Local Governments is an umbrella international organisation for cities, local and regional governments, and municipal associations throughout the world that is concerned with representing and defending the interests of local governments on the world stage.
U.S. Resources
Public Access Democracy > Public Access Democracy advocates for a democratic system more representative of, and responsive to, its citizens by investing decision making power in deliberative citizen groups chosen by lot -- just as juries are.
Democracy R & D > Democracy R & D is an international network of organizations, associations, and individuals helping decision makers take hard decisions and build public trust.
Equity by Lot > Equity by Lot is devoted to discussion of issues associated with sortition (decisions made by jury) and with the promotion of sortition as a tool of democracy.
Introductory Readings
Democracy when the People are Thinking by James Fishkin > This book argues that 'deliberative democracy' is not utopian. It is a practical solution to many of democracy's ills. It can supplement existing institutions with practical reforms. It can apply at all levels of government and for many different kinds of policy choices.
Open Democracy project at Yale University > Open Democracy describes a new model of democracy that opens up power to ordinary citizens could strengthen inclusiveness, responsiveness, and accountability in modern societies.
Deliberative Democracy Lab at Stanford University > The Deliberative Democracy Lab (formerly the Center for Deliberative Democracy), housed within the Center on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law at Stanford University, is devoted to research about democracy and public opinion obtained through Deliberative Polling®.
Advanced Readings
Athenian Democracy at the time of Demosthenes by Mogens Herman Hansen > In discussing Athenian democratic ideology, the book also makes the important distinction between the ideals held by the democrats themselves and those imputed to them by the critics of democracy. The Athenians conceived of liberty both as the ability to participate in the decision-making process, and as the privilege to live without oppression from state or other citizens.
Other Resources
Democracy Without Elections > Democracy Without Elections is a member-run 501c3 nonprofit that promotes the use of democratic lotteries. In a democratic lottery, legislatures or groups of leaders are selected by lottery from the common people. We believe that a broad cross-section of everyday Americans selected to serve for limited terms would do a better job of running the country than career politicians beholden to donors and special interests.