In many prosperous countries people turn away from the electoral process. There is falling party membership and low electoral turn-outs. Single issue social media campaigns command more interest. If Western democracy (what Churchill called "...the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried") fails in the teeth of rapid change and mind-boggling complexity, what might work better? Is it the more authoritarian systems where choice is largely an illusion? Have ideological and religious passion, or simply power, deserted parliament for virtual and street action, with strong leaders and compliant citizens? If so, is it inevitable, or what can be done to change it? Is there a real place here for lifelong learning and learning city strategies?

This theme will be led and moderated by Hans Schuetze and others.