From Derek Bolton, Sydney, Australia
In your look at ways to create direct democracy by the people, for the people (5 October, p 32), Laura Spinney ascribes scientific and philosophical achievements of ancient Greece to such a system. However, science has also flourished under caliphs, tsars, queens, popes and emperors.
In addition, a problem with direct democracy is that most people have insufficient time and ability to take a holistic view. Do I want lower taxes? Yes. Do I want better public services? Yes. The principle of the parliamentary system is that you vote for someone you consider to have the skill and, by virtue of being paid, the time to take such a view.
