Democracy: Still the best option? (Beckenham venue)

NOTE: the pub does not charge for our space on the understanding that we all purchase something from the bar. Please support them.

I'll be there from around 7pm if anyone would like a social chat before we get started. Please arrive in time for a prompt start at 7:30.

"Democracy is the worst form of Government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time."
Was Winston Churchill correct when he said that in 1947? Is it correct now?

We’ll approach this complex topic by considering the following questions:
What does good governance need to achieve?
What do we mean by “democracy”?
Why is democracy often considered preferable to alternative forms of government?
What has history taught us about democracy and other forms of government since Churchill uttered his famous quote?
What are the most significant issues concerning the workings of western democracies now? In what ways do these differ from the issues alluded to by Churchill in 1947?
Are today's significant issues inherent weaknesses of democracy itself, or failures of particular democratic institutions?
If democracy is failing, what needs to be done to reform it (or replace it)?
How can these changes be realised?

Some links you might like to review beforehand:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberal_democracy
https://polsci.institute/understanding-political-theory/limitations-of-liberalism-criticisms-challenges/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMFkJ3Xq2Go

Hope to see you there.