Explore why we feel stuck with our democracies, and radical new visions for governing ourselves and the planet
In The Next Democracy, social entrepreneur and Founder of Donkey Republic, Erdem Ovacik, delivers a startlingly insightful discussion of a new collective governance model based on markets and data that can improve our wellbeing as individuals, and as a society.
The author explains how we can develop the next generation of government that is data-driven, iterative, transparent, and that we decentrally and directly make laws online using prediction markets and delegative voting.
Using same principles of data and market, the author also explores delivery of public goods, where we link products and services' externalities to measurable metrics we care collectively care about altering business models, and removing the dichotomy consumerism and public service.
You'll explore how we can assign real value to our public goods, changing the way we think about valuation and budgets for public spending. Filled with case studies, illustrations, new governance models and frameworks, and key takeaways and summaries of each chapter, you'll also find:
A comprehensive explainer of the challenges caused by a collective inability to protect and deliver public goods
Discussions of how to develop transparent, decentralized institutions that align private and collective interests to deliver public goods using markets and data
An exploration of “Merit Democracy,” a radically new form of democracy
Perfect for citizens who seek fresh visions for democracy, and young professionals and impact entrepreneurs who want to work towards creating impact. The Next Democracy is also a must-read for those who seek change through their investments to see the role they can play for a clear vision for a world we can all happily live in.
Table of Contents
Introduction Chapter 1: Exodus from populism The growing mistrust in public governance Digging into the representation problem Qualities of good governance Excessive inequality undermines democracy Public goods: What Money Can’t Buy When Money No Longer Means Value Tech Will Save Us: The Tech-Naive Story Filling the void? Charity, impact-investing, corporate social responsibility Our four economic hats: the consumer, investor, laborer and the citizen Chapter 2: Democracy’s crossroads: innovate or die Innovating companies win, big time Evolution thrives with experimentation Getting innovation into the government Dystopian outcomes of dysfunctional democracies Chapter 3: Brewing change for legislation Experiments with Voting Participatory budgeting Citizen Assemblies Digital Changemakers from Wikileaks to LiquidDemocracy DAOs - Decentralised Autonomous Organisations Chapter 4: The struggle to deliver public goods How did we get here From leading to fire-fighting The move towards privatization Rethinking public procurement Efficient but not effective Buying goods from companies based on outcomes Pricing what matters Beyond ESG and CSRD Chapter 5: Merit Democracy: The way forward Holding ourselves accountable Experimenting over forecasting Embracing markets for public goods Empowering public goods with (big) data Transparency breeds legitimacy An open and inclusive design Chapter 6: Merit democracy in a bicycle The front wheel: Legislation in Merit Democracy Betting Can Save Our Democracy The economy of citizen credits Legitimacy through (liquid) voting Measurement as underlying enabler Envisioning a policy market to overcome loneliness The back wheel: Delivery of public goods in Merit Democracy Money - Value Alignment Unleashing new business models How to fund public goods Envisioning a mobility impact market to overcoming car dependency Envisioning a media impact market to overcome click bait culture The handlebar: Taking ownership of our challenges City, National/Federal, Global The bike frame: Role of State in Merit Democracy Chapter 7: Reasons to remain cautious Digital literacy and access Losing the personal touch Limits to measuring We should focus on degrowth Fighting the enemy is priority Prone to manipulation Privacy and data safety Trapped in siloed thinking Experimentation is well worth the risks Chapter 8: The Mission Ahead: Bend not Break Change from within But what can I do? Getting political One day in not so distant future THE END Introduction Chapter 1: Exodus from populism The growing mistrust in public governance Digging into the representation problem Qualities of good governance Excessive inequality undermines democracy Public goods: What Money Can’t Buy When Money No Longer Means Value Tech Will Save Us: The Tech-Naive Story Filling the void? Charity, impact-investing, corporate social responsibility Our four economic hats: the consumer, investor, laborer and the citizen Chapter 2: Democracy’s crossroads: innovate or die Innovating companies win, big time Evolution thrives with experimentation Getting innovation into the government Dystopian outcomes of dysfunctional democracies Chapter 3: Brewing change for legislation Experiments with Voting Participatory budgeting Citizen Assemblies Digital Changemakers from Wikileaks to LiquidDemocracy DAOs - Decentralised Autonomous Organisations Chapter 4: The struggle to deliver public goods How did we get here From leading to fire-fighting The move towards privatization Rethinking public procurement Efficient but not effective Buying goods from companies based on outcomes Pricing what matters Beyond ESG and CSRD Chapter 5: Merit Democracy: The way forward Holding ourselves accountable Experimenting over forecasting Embracing markets for public goods Empowering public goods with (big) data Transparency breeds legitimacy An open and inclusive design Chapter 6: Merit democracy in a bicycle The front wheel: Legislation in Merit Democracy Betting Can Save Our Democracy The economy of citizen credits Legitimacy through (liquid) voting Measurement as underlying enabler Envisioning a policy market to overcome loneliness The back wheel: Delivery of public goods in Merit Democracy Money - Value Alignment Unleashing new business models How to fund public goods Envisioning a mobility impact market to overcoming car dependency Envisioning a media impact market to overcome click bait culture The handlebar: Taking ownership of our challenges City, National/Federal, Global The bike frame: Role of State in Merit Democracy Chapter 7: Reasons to remain cautious Digital literacy and access Losing the personal touch Limits to measuring We should focus on degrowth Fighting the enemy is priority Prone to manipulation Privacy and data safety Trapped in siloed thinking Experimentation is well worth the risks Chapter 8: The Mission Ahead: Bend not Break Change from within But what can I do? Getting political One day in not so distant future THE END
