Your editorial (26 December) analyses the history of democracy as both a goal and structure for government. In reference to the origin in Greece and participation in the Scottish independence referendum debate, the issue of size is not addressed. The larger the population, the greater the centralisation of decision-making and control of service-provision, the longer the hierarchy and the less the belief of the population or service-users that their opinion matters one jot. This applies to non-governmental organisations as well.
I lived in Scotland for 15 years before moving back to Yorkshire when I retired. It was like moving to a colony. From participation in politics, feeling that discussions and views were listened to, I had to accept that Westminster was, in effect, a different country, unconcerned about the views of subjects except near elections. No wonder there is apathy and distrust.
So size matters, decentralisation matters. But who is listening?
Rachel Jenkins
York
• For democracy to be real, people need skill, knowledge, confidence and contacts. Aristotle called politics the “master science” because it sets the priorities for all other sciences, and he saw its purpose as the common good of humanity. Unfortunately, citizenship education has almost disappeared from schools. Politics is difficult and demanding, but it affects everyone and is everyone’s business. We need a movement to promote skills for democracy at all levels of education, so that everyone can learn how the political system really works, why it matters, and how to take part. Without knowledge and skill, democratic citizenship is like owning a car without being able to drive or having a map of your area.
Titus Alexander
Author of Practical Politics: Lessons in Power and Democracy (2017)
Convener, Democracy Matters
Kings Langley, Hertfordshire
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