What Is Democracy?

This documentary asks the perfect question for our times. What IS democracy? And, as an aside, how does one make it happen?

The answers suggested by various experts are far from obvious. There are many deep insights, and no particular partisan slant (though fascist xenophobes will probably disagree). This is a film about the basic concept of democracy - literally, 'rule of the people.' However, it does also delve into the ways that democracy is failing us at this crucial moment in history. Some of the 'artistic' passages could have been trimmed, but they do prove worthwhile within the overall composition.

This is a film everyone should see. Sitting on the sidelines is no longer an option. As stated in one of the film's framing quotes (from Plato): the penalty for failing to rule ourselves is to be ruled by those even less qualified.

Winston Churchill once called democracy "...the worst form of government, except all the others." Of course, democracy (commonly understood to mean rule by the people) has never gotten solidly defined. Astra Taylor's "What Is Democracy?" addresses this issue, the changing understanding of democracy over the centuries, and how assorted issues - debt, racism, etc - can affect democracy.

The documentary does not give a definition, leaving it up to the viewer to decide what democracy should mean. Basically, the documentary uses the socratic method, posing questions that might not have ready answers. In the end, what one can draw from it is that democracy (however one defines it) can only flourish if the masses pay attention and participate. The alternative is a kakistocracy (rule by the worst or least qualified people).

Worth seeing, featuring interviews with Prof. Cornel West and former Greek PM George Papandreou.