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Although highly controversial at various points in history, representative democracy (and electoral systems in general) have become the modern civics global-standard. Nevertheless, criticism of electoralism continues both within the Western world and the developing world. In the Global North, criticism comes primarily from the anarchist and libertarian-ends of the political spectrum.
Libertarian Criticisms
Classic libertarians (anarchists) argue against the legitimacy of political representation although most libertarians accept the concept of delegation. This is primarily due to a belief that marjority rule voting systems will erode the liberty of social and political minorities. Libertarians argue that any just political system must include voluntary association to prevent the oppressive enforcement of law.
Additionally, libertarians argue that the election of representatives creates a priest-class of political administrators while disempowering and alienating the general public, for which voting is a highly mediated form of political engagement that diverts energy away from more effective means of political and social reform (or revolution).
Some libertarians argue that representation is philosophically impossible due to the unique nature of each individual, distinct from social, political, and economic class interests.
Most libertarians support consensual direct democracy as an alternative to an electoral system and direct action as a means to implement decisions made individually or collectively.
See also - autonomism, horizontalism, topless federation
See Also
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