LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE HISTORY OF PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRACY: HISTORICAL PATTERNS AND THEIR SIGNIFICANCE FOR MODERN SECURITY POLICY CHALLENGES
LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE HISTORY OF PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRACY: HISTORICAL PATTERNS AND THEIR SIGNIFICANCE FOR MODERN SECURITY POLICY CHALLENGES

Summary/Abstract: This article analyses the lessons learned from the historical development of participatory democracy and uses a historical-comparative method to examine whether current challenges are actually new or whether a recurring historical pattern can be identified. The focus is on security policy conclusions for modern democracies and their national security. The historical analysis shows that democracies have repeatedly faced similar problems over different eras. Today, democracies are not only forms of government, but also models of order that are strengthened by stable institutions, social participation and functioning control mechanisms. At the same time, deficits in these areas can have a destabilizing effect and undermine existing political structures. While the framework conditions have changed due to digitalization, globalization and new geopolitical constellations, many fundamental mechanisms remain stable.

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