What is "isocracy"

"equal power," 1650s, from Greek isokratia "equality of power," from isokrates "of equal power, possessing equal rights," from isos "equal" (see iso-) + -kratia "power, rule, authority" (see -cracy). Related: Isocratic.

n. A form of government where all citizens have equal political power.

An isocracy is a form of government where all citizens have equal political power. The term derives from Greek ἴσος meaning "equal" and κρατεῖν meaning "to have power", or "to rule".

An Isocracy expands from the legal right of isonomia to political and economic systems, from equality of law, to equality in governance. To achieve this, an isocracy both combines and expands features of liberal rights and those in democratic rule. According to the nascent political movement of the same name an Isocracy embodies individual autonomy by extension informed consent and natural resources as the source of public income.

Further, an isocracy claims to avoid the common criticisms of democracy (e.g., Tyranny of the Majority and Demagogy) by limiting public governance to the public sphere and private governance to the private sphere. With protections embodied through constitutions, thus not being subject to the vagaries of popular opinion, an isocracy is secular, republican, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, etc.

In terms of organization, an isocracy argues for a federal network, argues towards mutualist economic organisation. Claiming that the army and police are an arm of class-rule, an isocracy also argues in that public peace, defense and emergency services can be managed through inclusive militia.

The combination of these features has led Isocracy advocates to claim that they represent "the best elements of the modern traditions of liberal, socialist and anarchist thought."

The first recorded use of the term was by the Reverend Sydney Smith in 1845, where opposition was expressed to the idea of equal rule for "all units of society"; Smith noted that the young should not have the same authority as the old and challenged isocrats to support voting and political rights for women, which was considered an extremist position at the time. An early recorded use of the word by a political organisation was by Grant Allen in the formation of the Independent Labour Party, arguing for equal rights for citizens. The history of the ILP incorporates liberalism, market socialism and co-operative societies:

"We believe in the strength and the rule of the people; in government of the People, by the People and for the People. Equality is the literal meaning of the word Isocracy"

As an incorporated association in Australia, the Isocracy Network Inc., has continued this tradition of libertarian and co-operative socialism as a member of the Alliance of the Libertarian Left. For a short period there was also a proposed Isocratic Party of Canada (former domain http://isocraticcanada.com), but that initiative appears to be defunct.

Finally, the Greek Cypriot Chris Neophytou offers a more conservative perspective through isokratia which argues for an extension of liberal democracy with mass electronic voting.

Isocracy was an American punk rock band from the Berkeley, California-area, formed in 1986. The band was one of the key bands in the MRR/ Gilman Street project. John Kiffmeyer (a.k.a. Al Sobrante), who later went on to play for Green Day, was the drummer for the band. The other members were Lenny Johnson (guitar), Martin Brome (bass) and Jason Beebout (vocals), who went on to form Samiam.