Changes in collective behaviour encourage demands for participatory democracy, as opposed to representative democracy, the latter being based on delegating power to elected representatives in parliaments or local councils. This type of delegation is in crisis in post – industrial societies due to the general rise in the level of education and the growth of individualism. Participatory democracy, on the other hands, is a way for organised citizens to take direct responsibility for some of their concerns. In contrast to the elections that take place from time to time, civil society exercises permanent control over the leaders it chooses.