Democracy is still in its infancy; fragile and evolving .  All over the world, ordinary people are trying to find ways to help the democratic process evolve.  While some of the articles and books are written with reference to the other countries, their insights and lessons are universal.

Articles

Living Democracy
Frances Moore Lappé and Paul Martin Du Bois, edited by Tom Altee

....democracy isn't working. Voter turnout sinks, public debate gets nastier, and our democracy seems stymied in the face of mounting social problems.... A cycle of disaffection has begun, feeding on itself: The more citizens withdraw from public participation, the more politicians ignore them. The more irresponsible the politicians act, the more citizens withdraw in anger and hopelessness.....all sounds familiar.

http://www.co-intelligence.org/CIPol_LivingDemoc.html
Read the Article......

Formal Democracy, Living Democracy - Alternate conceptions of Democracy
Frances Moore Lappé and Paul Martin Du Bois

A brutally honest view of where we find ourselves and where we could be. It accompanies the article above on Living Democracy, an edited example is below

Power perspective power is a one-way force exerted by power holders over the less powerful: the more for you, the less for me; measured by control and immediate victory power means "to be able"; everyone has it in their relationships; the more we use it together, the more there is; it grows when used to build long-term, mutually-beneficial relationships
http://www.co-intelligence.org/CIPol_democrachart.html

Cultural Creatives
Paul Ray

If you can strongly identify with the following 5 statements then you may be part of one of the most influential groups of people on the earth that don’t know they exist!

1. love nature and are deeply concerned about its destruction.
2. are strongly aware of the problems of the whole planet, and want to see more action on them, such as limiting economic growth.
3. would pay more taxes or pay more for consumer goods if you knew the money, would go to clean up the environment and to stop global warming.
4. give a lot of importance to developing and maintaining your relationships
5. give a lot of importance to helping other people and bringing out their unique gifts.

Paul Ray has discovered some fascinating insights into a large group of people who seem to be emerging that are no longer catagorised in traditional terms. These are the cultural creatives and they are about to change the world on a social, economic and political level.

http://www.shareguide.com/Ray.html
http://www.lauralee.com/paulray.htm

A Long Romance : Ireland and the Aarhus Convention:
Michael Ewing

This article explains Ireland’s current position on Aarhus and the EU Directives which were designed to implement two of its three provisions ( published in The Local Planet newspaper. issue 11 Winter 2007.)  Read the article

Books

The Tao of Democracy
Tom Altee

Describes a new vision of politics and governance that can simultaneously address our unprecedented social problems and build a society that works for all. Based on the philosophical insights of modern systems thinking, and grounded in dozens of real-life stories, proven group processes, techniques and political models, it demonstrates how very different people can now find creative common ground.  And it tells us how to use that fact to bring our dusty old politics up to speed, and find the wisdom we need to safely navigate the 21st century.

http://www.taoofdemocracy.com/

Democracy’s Edge
Frances Moore Lappé

A grassroots approach to change is taking hold of America today. Ordinary citizens, driven by a desire to move beyond rhetoric and ideology and address problems in a direct, practical way, are changing the way we live, work, and govern ourselves.  Irish readers will see familiar patterns here
http://www.powells.com/cgi-bin/biblio?isbn=9780787943110

Read the Article...

 
Cultural Creatives
Paul H Ray, Sherry Ruth Anderson
Book Description (from the publisher)

Do you dislike all the emphasis in modern culture on success and "making it," on getting and spending, on wealth and luxury goods? In this landmark book, sociologist Paul H. Ray and psychologist Sherry Ruth Anderson draw upon thirteen years of survey research studies on more than 100,000 people, plus more than 100 focus groups and dozens of in-depth interviews. They reveal who the Cultural Creatives are and the fascinating story of their emergence over the last generation, using vivid examples and engaging personal stories to describe their distinctive values and lifestyles.

Once they realize their numbers, their impact on America and Europe promises to be enormous, shaping a new agenda for the twenty-first century.

http://www.lauralee.com/paulray.htm

Everyone’s guide to Achieving Change, A step-by-step approach to dialogue with decision
makers 2007, Oxford Research Group

• Now in its 6th reprint the booklet offers:
• The basic ingredients of the 'dialogue with decision-makers' approach to achieving change.
• Why it works.
• How to research the decision-making process on a specific issue.
• How decision-makers can be identified.
• How to approach them in a constructive and effective way.

What may be expected from this dialogue.
- How your skills and the skills of colleagues in your field can most effectively be used.
- This is a very useful booklet. Short and to the point (30 pages). Easily readable. Clearly laid out.
   A must for every negotiatio

http://www.oxfordresearchgroup.org.uk/publications/books/dialoguebooklet.php