https://theloop.ecpr.eu/democracys-things-should-be-added-to-the-data-mountain-of-democracy/

In the essay linked above, Hilary Gopnik argues that we need to adopt an object-based approach to democracy studies so that we don't lose vital information from societies without written records or the custom of recording information by writing it (e.g. oral societies). As Gopnik is the Director of the Monash Centre for Ancient Cultures, this point is especially tied to ancient/historical societies.

I fully agree with Gopnik and would argue that her argument extends to object-based/led/driven analysis for democracy studies in all times and spaces. For example, there are "democracy sausages" in Australia during elections or there is the Milk Tea alliance in certain East & South East Asian countries, there are many symbols used by activists ( ⩜⃝ , ☮, etc), colours (green, orange, etc), tools (umbrellas!), fashion (arm bands, hair cuts, tattoos), sounds/music, presence/movement/posture, etc, etc. All of these objects have something to do with democracy and they naturally deserve to be included in democracy studies.

I have missed most objects associated with democracy. Which one/s would you like to add and why? What does/do your object/s have to do with democracy?

https://theloop.ecpr.eu/democracys-things-should-be-added-to-the-data-mountain-of-democracy/