ABSTRACT
This chapter describes Robert Dahl's analysis of the problem technology poses for democracy. It explains Dahl's objection to a kind of "participatory democracy" sometimes considered a remedy for the ills of contemporary society. The chapter outlines Dahl's proposals for increasing popular participation in politics and popular influence over government. It sketches a possible alternative to Dahl's approach and in the light of that alternative offer some suggestions about the relation of Dahl's thought to technology. Nuclear weapons are the outstanding example of a new political problem created by technological progress. Dahl draws attention to the necessary relation between the size of an association and the amount of time each member can have for expressing his own opinions in the group's legislative deliberations. Even the classic models of direct democracy could not have ensured literally equal participation by all, and the modern world clearly demands large political units.
