Our democracies are struggling.
We need to reimagine how we govern ourselves.
Democracy’s problems are deeper than single policy issue areas, such as climate, inequality or media.
The Next Democracy provides in depth analysis of democracy’s problems, describes features of a desirable democracy, and introduces a vision for how collective governance could look like in 21st century leveraging data and markets.
seemingly unrelated issues from climate to inequality and loneliness are all a part of the issue of public governance not delivering
02
In Search of Better Democracy
We need to define what makes a democracy strong, and set aside significant resources new designs that can achieve it.
What made tech companies so powerful is their ability to learn quick learning loops driven by data. We shall use data-driven iteration for legislation and public service delivery.
04
Markets for public service
Both in legislation and public service delivery, we must move away from top-down decisions and concentration of power to a decentralized, market-based design.
05
Agency and transparency
While transparency breeds trust, agency is a fundamental human needs. Our systems must provide both.
Based on these simple principles, a new model for public governance is laid out in the form of a bicycle: handlebar is where we prioritize our challenges, front wheel is the legislative cycle and back wheel is service delivery.
“Real innovation of the political and democratic system as we know it today is an uphill battle. But if we fail to reinvent democracy, we risk losing it altogether. That’s why The Next Democracy is so refreshing and thought provoking. I don’t agree with all that is said, but I like how radically ambitious and intellectually creative it is. Ovacik challenges us to imagine a world where our data serves not just the capitalist machinery but, first and foremost, strengthens democracy—where citizens experience true agency through a fully transparent decision-making process.
UFFE ELBÆK
Former Member of Danish Parliament, Danish Minister and party leader and founder of the Alternatives
“Real innovation of the political and democratic system as we know it today is an uphill battle. But if we fail to reinvent democracy, we risk losing it altogether. That’s why The Next Democracy is so refreshing and thought provoking. I don’t agree with all that is said, but I like how radically ambitious and intellectually creative it is. Ovacik challenges us to imagine a world where our data serves not just the capitalist machinery but, first and foremost, strengthens democracy—where citizens experience true agency through a fully transparent decision-making process.
UFFE ELBÆK
Former Member of Danish Parliament, Danish Minister and party leader and founder of the Alternatives
“Real innovation of the political and democratic system as we know it today is an uphill battle. But if we fail to reinvent democracy, we risk losing it altogether. That’s why The Next Democracy is so refreshing and thought provoking. I don’t agree with all that is said, but I like how radically ambitious and intellectually creative it is. Ovacik challenges us to imagine a world where our data serves not just the capitalist machinery but, first and foremost, strengthens democracy—where citizens experience true agency through a fully transparent decision-making process.
UFFE ELBÆK
Former Member of Danish Parliament, Danish Minister and party leader and founder of the Alternatives
Digitalization disrupts democracy. Beginning from this well-established observation, Ovacik takes ‘the side of technology’ to suggest digital solutions to democratic problems. To solve today’s unprecedent challenges, Ovacik argues, we should harness digital technologies for better governance and build a data-driven marketplaces of ideas for policy proposals as well as public services. The book is refreshingly and unapologetically tech-positive, aiming to use opportunities of tech to regulate tech itself, setting out a vision for ‘merit democracy’ that is sure to spark controversy and invigorate entrenched discussions on the democratic potentials of digitalization
SINE NØRHOLM JUST
Professor, Artificial Intelligence, Roskilde University
Digitalization disrupts democracy. Beginning from this well-established observation, Ovacik takes ‘the side of technology’ to suggest digital solutions to democratic problems. To solve today’s unprecedent challenges, Ovacik argues, we should harness digital technologies for better governance and build a data-driven marketplaces of ideas for policy proposals as well as public services. The book is refreshingly and unapologetically tech-positive, aiming to use opportunities of tech to regulate tech itself, setting out a vision for ‘merit democracy’ that is sure to spark controversy and invigorate entrenched discussions on the democratic potentials of digitalization
SINE NØRHOLM JUST
Professor, Artificial Intelligence, Roskilde University
Digitalization disrupts democracy. Beginning from this well-established observation, Ovacik takes ‘the side of technology’ to suggest digital solutions to democratic problems. To solve today’s unprecedent challenges, Ovacik argues, we should harness digital technologies for better governance and build a data-driven marketplaces of ideas for policy proposals as well as public services. The book is refreshingly and unapologetically tech-positive, aiming to use opportunities of tech to regulate tech itself, setting out a vision for ‘merit democracy’ that is sure to spark controversy and invigorate entrenched discussions on the democratic potentials of digitalization
SINE NØRHOLM JUST
Professor, Artificial Intelligence, Roskilde University
When the world feels like it’s falling apart, you can either panic or start inventing. With The Next Democracy, Ovacik has the courage to do the latter. It is not easy to reimagine something as foundational as democracy, but Ovacik has created a transformative vision that offers a radically different framework for our future. His Merit Democracy concept harnesses the power of impact markets, data, and citizen participation to build governance systems that can thrive and solve today’s complex challenges. I hope the world will listen. Our future may depend on it.
ANDERS HVID
Co-founder of Dare Disrupt, Co-founder of Founders of Tomorrow
When the world feels like it’s falling apart, you can either panic or start inventing. With The Next Democracy, Ovacik has the courage to do the latter. It is not easy to reimagine something as foundational as democracy, but Ovacik has created a transformative vision that offers a radically different framework for our future. His Merit Democracy concept harnesses the power of impact markets, data, and citizen participation to build governance systems that can thrive and solve today’s complex challenges. I hope the world will listen. Our future may depend on it.
ANDERS HVID
Co-founder of Dare Disrupt, Co-founder of Founders of Tomorrow
When the world feels like it’s falling apart, you can either panic or start inventing. With The Next Democracy, Ovacik has the courage to do the latter. It is not easy to reimagine something as foundational as democracy, but Ovacik has created a transformative vision that offers a radically different framework for our future. His Merit Democracy concept harnesses the power of impact markets, data, and citizen participation to build governance systems that can thrive and solve today’s complex challenges. I hope the world will listen. Our future may depend on it.
ANDERS HVID
Co-founder of Dare Disrupt, Co-founder of Founders of Tomorrow
The Next Democracy jolts us out of tired thinking about politics and governance. It doesn’t just point out the cracks—it offers fresh, actionable ideas and a living framework for experimentation. At the center is the bold concept of Merit Democracy—a new vision for governance that’s as dynamic, transparent, and participatory as the world demands. It’s not a final answer, but a powerful spark. This book got my wheels turning—and it will do the same for anyone ready to help democracy catch up with the future.
LISA WITTER
CEO, Apolitical Foundation
The Next Democracy jolts us out of tired thinking about politics and governance. It doesn’t just point out the cracks—it offers fresh, actionable ideas and a living framework for experimentation. At the center is the bold concept of Merit Democracy—a new vision for governance that’s as dynamic, transparent, and participatory as the world demands. It’s not a final answer, but a powerful spark. This book got my wheels turning—and it will do the same for anyone ready to help democracy catch up with the future.
LISA WITTER
CEO, Apolitical Foundation
The Next Democracy jolts us out of tired thinking about politics and governance. It doesn’t just point out the cracks—it offers fresh, actionable ideas and a living framework for experimentation. At the center is the bold concept of Merit Democracy—a new vision for governance that’s as dynamic, transparent, and participatory as the world demands. It’s not a final answer, but a powerful spark. This book got my wheels turning—and it will do the same for anyone ready to help democracy catch up with the future.
LISA WITTER
CEO, Apolitical Foundation
The Author
Erdem is cofounder of Donkey Republic, a bike-sharing company in Europe. He is a vocal advocate for more sustainable mobility.
He holds a master’s degree in public policy and is a social entrepreneur on a mission to bring humanity onto a path of sustainable growth. He has worked with direct democracy initiatives, outcome-based public private partnerships, and micro-loan organizations in Africa.
