ABSTRACT
The citizen has a life-long dual obligation as a member of a democratic polity—an obligation to one's community and an obligation to oneself. With reference to the political process itself, this normally involves the citizen in pressure politics or electoral politics or both as a political activist. This chapter outlines the political functions which are necessary to participatory democracy. It provides examples of institutions which aid and abet and others which pervert or destroy the effective implementation of these political functions. The chapter suggests means for conflict resolution and examines aspects of political obligation the better to inform political action. The principle of federalism can be stated as follows: Political mechanisms to hold economic power to account must be commensurate in scope with, and must exceed the power and authority of, the institutional power systems whose judgments are at issue. In the application of the principle of democratic federalism, a number of approaches to inquiry and policy may be suggested.
