Patel’s solution is one of radical democracy, but radical only when compared to our current celebrity political culture. Instead of voting for our favorite overlord every four years, citizens should be organizing and taking an active role in establishing the rules that govern their own lives. These kinds of societies have existed before, and exist today. Patel’s primary models are ancient Athenians and the contemporary Zapatistas. For the Zapatistas, democracy is a way of life, rather than a rare and unpleasant ritual.Notice how the timid liberal reviewer assures us that the proposal is "radical only when compared to our current celebrity political culture". The proposal is very radical, indeed! It is one that the ruling class, whose rule depends on the their dominance of the economy and society, would never tolerate without a fight.
The ruling class frequently make use of the word, "democracy". But for them, it is only a buzz word that has been emptied of all substance, or it is just a synonym for capitalism. They know that for working people everywhere, it is mostly a long lost dream of everyone participating in the affairs of society. Hence they often use it to conjure up these feelings just like they drape scantily clad women over the latest cars in order to sell them.
