title: The second-best solution: an apology for democracy.
abstract: The best ways to make group decisions are by consensus or the use of rational rules. Unfortunately, these methods are not general and are limited to various special circumstances. Some poor alternatives include authoritarian rule or chaos. Democracy, essentially one voice and vote for each concerned individual, is the most practical general alternative. A catalogue of democracy's flaws is reviewed, but it is concluded that, faults and all, democracy remains the best choice.
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Chambers
mesh_terms: D003256:Community Participation; D003709:Democracy; D006801:Humans; D013997:Time Factors