Modern parliamentary democracy first developed in Great Britain. Britons also played a major role in spreading democracy around the world – for example, through the Commonwealth.
However, at the start of the 21st century, Britain itself was no longer a independent democratic country. As part of the European Union bloc, unelected and immovable foreign authorities determined a large part of its laws, policies, and taxes. Domestically meanwhile, extra-parliamentary bureaucratic lawmaking, curbs on local autonomy, moves from direct to indirect representation, and anti-competitive restrictions on political funding and advertising had diminished democracy.
This book provides a detailed account of the main political independence and constitutional reform requirements for restoring and extending democracy in present-day Britain.
Coverage:
1. Restoring and extending British democracy: major requirements
2. National political independence and democracy: withdrawal from the European Union
3. The reform of parliament and central government
4. Judicial independence and the rule of law
5. The legal protection of democracy and freedom: the case for a new written constitution and bill of rights
6. Restoring local democracy
7. Electoral system reform: increasing competition and voter choice and influence
Lewis Abbott is a business-economic researcher and consultant. He has authored and edited numerous books on industrial, commercial and related subjects.