Many people frustrated by conventional politics advocate Direct Democracy. Modern Direct Democracy encompasses two concepts. The first is the idea of settling important questions by (preferably binding) referenda, which can be initiated by public petition rather than by the legislature. The second is the power of recall, whereby a petition is raised to hold a vote on whether a public official should be removed.

Direct Democracy has its place, but as an adjunct to taming the executive, not a substitute. The results of referenda depend very much on how the question is posed and how well the public is educated about the issue.

Recall can produce strange results. After Bush had deregulated energy markets in the U.S. at the behest of Enron, Enron and other energy companies manipulated the Californian electricity market so as to impose excess costs to consumers of some $70 billion. When Californian campaigners petitioned for the recall of Governor Gray Davis over the handling of negotiations with the energy companies, they little thought their action would result in the election of Arnold Schwarcheneger.

Other people despair of formal democracy and try to proceed by some form of self help - such Transition Towns, and/or direct action. We believe that until formal politics is reformed they will constantly be frustrated.