Tag: outline

I’ve resurrected a book project (working title Dumbocracy) that I commenced at the end of 2021. I’ve revisited the structure and made some amends to the outline before I move forward. I’ve done more research and feel the topic is (sadly) still as relevant now as then. The approach I am taking is to present:

1. definition and summary
2. historical perspective of advocates and detractors
3. the main thesis and antithesis
4. alternatives
5. future prospects

I’ve got a lot going on, so this may whither or die on the vine, but I’m hoping to reach the goal line this time. Since I already invested many hours over days since Autumn 2020, the groundwork is already laid.

If anyone has any contributions, I welcome them.

Revised Chapter Order

1. Position and Setup
   • Introduce the central thesis and set the stage for the book.
2. Historical Backdrop – Pre-Enlightenment Until Now
   • Provide historical context to ground the reader in the evolution of democratic ideas.
3. Celebrity Supporters
   • Highlight influential figures who supported democracy, setting up the positive aspects and idealism associated with it.
4. Celebrity Anti-Democracy Figures
   • Present notable critics of democracy to introduce scepticism and counterpoints early on.
5. Prima Facie Arguments
   • Lay out the initial arguments against democracy, building on the scepticism introduced in the previous chapter.
6. Shaky Grounds and Necessarily Suboptimal Outcomes: Arrow’s Impossibility Theorem
   • Dive into the mathematical and theoretical flaws in democratic voting systems to provide a strong foundation for the critiques.
7. Essential Steelman Counterarguments
   • Present the strongest counterarguments to the prima facie arguments, offering a balanced perspective.
8. Are We Too Dumb for Democracy?
   • Analyze cognitive limitations and their impact on democratic decision-making.
9. Dealing with Rational Ignorance and Unknown Unknowns
   • Address the issues of rational ignorance and the limits of voter knowledge.
10. Reconciling Worldviews: Individualism Versus Collectivism
    • Discuss the philosophical tensions and their implications for democracy.
11. Possible People-Based Solutions
    • Introduce potential reforms and solutions to address the identified flaws.
12. People-Based Counterarguments
    • Defend democracy by presenting strong arguments for the capability and resilience of the populace.
13. Against Democracy
    • Explore Jason Brennan’s epistocracy and other critiques in depth.
14. Effective Mob Rule
    • Discuss ways to improve voter quality and address historical injustices.
15. The Representatives
    • Debate the idea of electing more qualified representatives.
16. Jeremy Bentham’s Panopticon — Watching the Watchers
    • Consider the concept of surveillance and accountability in governance.
17. US / UK Politics
    • Critique the current state of politics in the US and UK, providing contemporary relevance.
18. SCOTUS Partisanship
    • Examine the partisanship in the Supreme Court and its implications for democracy.
19. Jury Systems
    • Analyze the jury system as a microcosm of democratic principles.
20. What About…?
    • Anarchy and Libertarianism
    • Deliberative Democracy
    • Republicanism
    • Epistocracy
    • Sortition
    • Other Potential ‘What Abouts’
21. Tea Leaves
    • Speculate on the future of democracy and potential reforms or alternatives.
22. And So What? Where to Go from Here?
    • Summarize the findings and suggest practical steps for addressing the flaws in democracy and exploring alternatives.

NB: As is typical, these are working titles subject to change.