Democracy - the future - Intelligence Squared

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Democracy - the future

19 Jun 2010

Speakers: Justice Donald Lemons, Michael Smyth CBE, Petr Barenboim, Vernon Bogdanor, Professor Spyridon Flogaitis

The panel discuss the future of democracy in Greece, Russia, the US and the UK.

Justice Donald Lemons suggests the founding of the United States institutionalised certain anti-democratic elements in its structure that continue to complicate the exercise of democracy in America.

Spyridon Flogaitis begins with a brief explanation of the creation of Modern Greece and the role Napoleon had to play in its formation. He goes on to explore the advent of democracy in Ancient Greece, explaining that democracy was invented out of the extant principle of equality; Greek philosophers advocated the idea that every human being is a valued person, and that all people were thus equals. Flogaitis explains that this came about because of the spirit and nature of the Greek people, who pride equality over everything, and the spread of Christianity helped this Greek concept become pan-European.

Petr Barenboim considers the rule of law in twenty-first century, suggesting that in Russia it may be more aptly called the “Rule of Constitution”. The Russian Constitution is more than a mere set of declarations, which tended in socialist days to separate the constitution from the realities of society.

The model of constitutional economics for Russia is based on an understanding that it is necessary to narrow the gap between practical enforcement of the economic, social and political rights granted by the constitution and the annual and mid-term governmental economic policy, budget legislation, and also to create a balance to military spending.

Vernon Bogdanor believes it has become commonplace to speak of a crisis of democracy in Britain. But trends in Britain - towards lower turnout in elections, lower party membership, falling identification with political parties, and lack of trust in political leaders – are in fact common to many democracies. They indicate that the era of pure, representative democracy, as it has been understood for much of the 20th century, is now coming to an end. Elected politicians are no longer accepted as the sole source of power and authority. Democracies must find a way to redistribute power away from the political professionals to the people.

Justice Donald Lemons

Justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia
Michael Smyth CBE

Vice Chaiman of the International Bar Association's CSR committee
Petr Barenboim

Lawyer, author and Council Member of the International Bar Association
Vernon Bogdanor

Research Professor, King's College, London and author of the forthcoming The Coalition and the Constitution
Professor Spyridon Flogaitis

Professor of Administrative Law, University of Athens