Re-Demokratisierung der Postdemokratie durch alternative Beteiligungsverfahren?

Abstract

Since some years political scientists observe a growing political dissatisfaction. On closer inspection one sees that mainly socially disadvantaged citizens have retreated from the democr atic process. This applies not only to the participation in elections and membership in political parties, but to a greater degree also to alternative forms of political participation such as town meetings and referenda. Against this background, the article is looking for possibilities of a reintegration of socially disadvantaged citizens into the democratic process. Following considerations made by Young and McCormick, who highlight an “aristocratic effect” of formal democratic procedures, a suspensive veto-right for socially disadvantaged citizens is proposed at the end.