Isocracy

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.

Isocracy (band)

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.

History

The group recorded an 11 song 7″ EP titled Bedtime for Isocracy, released in 1988 through Lookout! Records (L005). The band was later featured on the Lookout! Records' compilation, The Thing That Ate Floyd. Additionally, Isocracy's EP tracks were re-released on (L293) Punk Rock 7″s Volume 1. During their active years from 1986 through 1988, Isocracy was known for their wild performances where anything could happen. According to the book written about the Gilman St. Project, Isocracy was one of the main bands who brought a new sense of positive anarchy to the punk scene. During this time in the mid-1980s hardcore punk was the dominant musical style in the scene. Isocracy's live shows included playing in laundromats and covering the audience with garbage and shredded paper. In this regard, Isocracy bridged hardcore punk with performance art. Green Day benefited from Sobrante's contacts he had made in the scene prior to their formation.