Full Idea
Modern discussion has shifted from 'vote-centric' (or 'aggregative') to 'talk-centric' democracy. The vote-centric model has no mechanism for developing a consensus, or shaping public opinion, or even formulating an honourable compromise.
Gist of Idea
Modern democratic theory focuses on talk, not votes, because we need consensus or compromise
Source
Will Kymlicka (Contemporary Political Philosophy (2nd edn) [2002], 7)
Book Reference
Kymlicka,Will: 'Contemporary Political Philosophy (2nd ed)' [OUP 2002], p.290
A Reaction
I'm struck by the fact that a person's preferences betweent these two is a reflection of character, or basic attitudes to morality. Some people think democratically about their relationships, and others very obviously don't.