Time to Save Democracy

With a background in both academia and national and local politics Dr. Henry B. Tam is a writer, educator, and former policy head for civil renewal under the last Labour Government. He has been Director of the Forum for Youth Participation & Democracy, University of Cambridge; Lecturer on politics and government for WEA (Workers’ Educational Association) and the Civil Service College; and Visiting Professor, School of Lifelong Learning, Birkbeck, University of London.

• Introduction: Democracy in distressPart One: Has democracy a future?Why we need democracyRethinking how we governPart Two: How to sustain democratic togethernessShared missionMutual respectCoherent membershipPart Three: How to underpin democratic objectivityCollaborative learningCritical re-examinationResponsible communicationPart Four: How to achieve democratic power balanceParticipatory decision-makingCivic parityPublic accountabilityConclusion: Learning to govern ourselves

“At a time when 42% of people entitled to vote in the UK did not do so, including 15% who did not even register, it is important to create more and better ways for people to participate in democratic decision making. Henry Tam’s erudite book will certainly aid the development of democratic practice.” Titus Alexander, founder, Democracy Matters