This volume reflects the up-and-coming academic interest in sortition. It is based on contributions to the first international conference dedicated to the subject held at the University of Political Science (Sciences-Po) in Paris in November 2008. The papers explore important theoretical questions such as how we should recognise and define differing lottery forms; the relationship between sortition and different aspects and forms of democracy; and its potential benefits to current political and commercial practice. Contributors Hubertus Buchstein, Gil Delannoi Oliver Dowlen, Gerhard G hler Barbara Goodwin, Michael Hein Yves Sintomer, Peter Stone Antoine Vergne Gil Delannoi is Research Director at Sciences-Po Paris (Centre de recherches politiques). Oliver Dowlen is an independent scholar and a founder member of the Society for Democracy including Random Selection (SDRS).