New Releases: Political Theory

In a Platonic Dialogue format, a critique of the western political system (as defined by voting) in order to put forward a unique and more viable option where the hierarchy of political power is replaced by a new democratic paradigm of More Reasonableness...

The Political Evaluator by Stephen Garvey 114 pages (Perfect Bound) 16.95 U.S.A. (not including shipping) for North American and international orders 13.85 EURO. 19.50 CAN. For Kootenay readers--The Political Evaluator is currently available at Katrina's Books and Lotus Books (Cranbrook), Black Bear Books & Video and Owl Books (Kimberley), and Otter Books (Nelson). eBook Reviews Excerpt (pdf file) Readers--share your views of The Political Evaluator at reviews (The reviews will be posted.)

Does democracy necessarily entail voting, or is there another way? What value can voting have when it is based on totals, and the assumption that those candidates with the most votes are the representatives? Does a person have a say when his or her vote is diluted by thousands, or even millions, and the person's decision-making is limited by political influence and manipulation?....

Before a prestigious society made up of top academics and distinguished professionals, Peter Thompson, a publicly unknown thinker and visionary, presents eight lectures which critiques the western political system (as defined by voting) in order to put forward a unique and more viable option where the hierarchy of political power is replaced by a new democratic paradigm of More Reasonableness (a fully elucidated process in which ideas rather than ballots are cast).

What ensues is a lively, thorough, diverse dialogue, which touches on the very bases of society and democracy.

“A somewhat controversial yet visionary interpretation of democracy, The Political Evaluator is well researched, well presented and encourages readers to think beyond the existing limitations of our current western political system. Garvey proposes a thought provoking ideology, worthy of serious consideration and unavoidable deliberation.”

Tina Cobb
The Collective Writing Co.

"The Political Evaluator presents a bold and very needed alternative to our present western socio-political climate. This book needs to be read not just by those who operate in the theoretical or philosophical, but by those who are living in and acting in this world we all inhabit."

Ethan Canter (Writer, Poet)

The non-fiction version of The Political Evaluator

Evaluative Democracy by Stephen Garvey 128 pages (Pre-publication--spiral binding) 12.95 U.S.A. (not including shipping) for North American and international orders 9.90 EURO. 15.30 CAN. Excerpt (pdf file) Readers--share your views of Evaluative Democracy at reviews (The reviews will be posted.)

A look at the globalization of elections and a sound case for their end.

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Anti-Election:Pro-Determination by Stephen Garvey 108 pages (Perfect Bound) 16.25 U.S.A. (not including shipping) for North American and international orders 13.80 EURO. 19.95 CAN. Excerpt--Foreword (html file) Readers--share your views of Anti-Election at reviews (The reviews will be posted.)

A timely, progressive book which exposes the movement to globalize Liberal Democracy (for the benefit of the few), and inherent flaws with elections.

Reviews:

"Anti-Election is the third in a series of books by Stephen Garvey dealing with the global issues of Liberal Democracy. Written with cutting precision, and backed by an impressive body of research, Garvey aims his analysis directly at the eye of the storm. Garvey examines, deconstructs and illuminates the political structure of Liberal Democracy and explains succinctly, in plain language, how it is a threat to human culture all around the world.

Garvey's observations are fresh and plentiful. Most radical is his proposition that the election process is inherently flawed, leading not to choice and democracy, but rather veiling the devious means by which the few continue to rule over the many behind the banner of Liberal Democracy.

However, Garvey is not just another nay-sayer. As much as he is able to unravel and explain the complexity and corruption of Liberal Democracy, he is just as able to offer an alternative. Giving it the title Evaluative Democracy, Garvey's alternative is a sound and reasonable means through which the world can be governed 'by the people and for the people.' Evaluative Democracy will replace elections with 'determinations' - a non-hierarchical process in which ideas (not people) are examined and evaluated against the social well-being of all people. Garvey explains in detail how Evaluative Democracy would work and makes it clear how influence and manipulation, the mainstay of Liberal Democratic elections, would not have a place to reside (or hide) in 'determinations.'

In the 21st century people are asking many questions, not the least of which is 'How do we live as a global community?' Liberal Democracy has been the norm, in one form or another, for over 2000 years. But it is failing us. The rich are getting even richer, and the poor even poorer. The world is out of balance. Humanity is out of balance. War, violence, starvation, poverty, disease and slavery are the result. If we are to continue to survive as a species, and if we want to continue to call ourselves people, humane, evolved, we must admit that the Liberal Democratic politic is not working, and we must have the courage to enter into a new discourse on how to live globally - a discourse that may well begin with Stephen Garvey's Anti-Election."

Ethan Canter May 22, 2006