The recent success of campaigns, such as Trump and Brexit, should compel us to make a critical analysis of the way modern democracies conduct elections. Democracy is fragile and needs careful nurturing.
The current frustration and alienation of voters could lead to systems or leaders that we would rather avoid, just as it did in the early twentieth century. Information is paramount in every field. It should be also in the realm of politics.
The system of party funding of election campaigns and the feedback loop of opinion polls is threatening democracy. The media’s coverage, with its focus on personalities and their entertainment value is marginalizing policy debate. Voters feel that their vote is about as significant as that for a TV talent show.
