De-presentation rights as a response to extremism. Issue 3 (3rd May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Malkopoulou, Anthoula
• Is Part Of: Critical review of international social and political philosophy. Volume 19:Issue 3(2016)
• Page Start: 301
• Page End: 319
• Publication Date: 2016-05-03
• Subjects: representation -- de-selection -- ostracism -- recall -- militant democracy -- democratic self-defence -- extremism; Political science -- Philosophy -- Periodicals; Policy sciences -- Philosophy -- Periodicals; Social sciences -- Philosophy -- Periodicals; 320.01
• DOI: 10.1080/13698230.2016.1144856
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1369-8230

Abstract

Abstract : Due to the persistent rise of extremism, democrats in recent years have been exploring old and new possibilities of democratic self-defence. This article explores an unconventional and little known alternative to militant democracy that places the demos at the centre stage of the struggle against extremism. Through a neo-procedural reinterpretation of ancient ostracism and modern-day recall, I suggest that citizens should have rights of democratic de-selection of elected parties and candidates. I argue that, if properly designed, such a mechanism of de-presentation distributes the burden of democratic self-defence among citizens and creates a bottom-up majoritarian resistance to anti-democratic threats, without compromising free parliamentary mandate or minority rights.