Direct democracy is wonderful if it means strengthening society so that we can discuss our common problems. It’s crossing that line from discussion to direct decision that should make us all nervous. Maybe it’s time to start thinking about how to build a few roadblocks to slow that part of the superhighway. This could easily be one of the major techno-political struggles of the early 21st century.
Predictor: Alter, Jonathan
Prediction, in context:In a 1995 essay for Newsweek magazine about online democracy and voting online, Jonathan Alter writes: ”Once we can vote from home, it’s hard to believe that choosing candidates won’t be expanded to choosing policies, just as [former independent presidential candidate Ross Perot] promised. I’m half with ya’, Ross. But just half. Interactive technology – from talk radio to online chat – can obviously help expand participation. Direct democracy is wonderful if it means strengthening society so that we can discuss our common problems. It’s crossing that line from discussion to direct decision that should make us all nervous. Maybe it’s time to start thinking about how to build a few roadblocks to slow that part of the superhighway. This could easily be one of the major techno-political struggles of the early 21st century.”
Date of prediction: January 1, 1995
Topic of prediction: Global Relationships/Politics
Subtopic: Campaigns/Voting
Name of publication: Newsweek
Title, headline, chapter name: The Couch Potato Vote: Soon You’ll Be Able to Vote From Home – But Should You?
Quote Type: Direct quote
Page number or URL of document at time of study:
http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe/document?_m=5d49f907ed81f8ad940229bf4e732c7e&_docnum=1&wchp=dGLbVzb-lSlAl&_md5=bc39481b352c693d4f97794587e2ea1e
This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Anderson, Janna Quitney