Open source is neither a community nor a democracy

David Heinemeier Hansson argues that open source software is neither a community nor a democracy, and that using it does not entitle users to a vote on a project's direction. He says most projects are run by small groups of core contributors who do the work, and that this elitism is productive rather than a flaw. He writes that the tension users feel is best acknowledged rather than solved, since democratic ideals are met through free licensing and the availability of alternatives. He suggests "ecosystem" as a possible replacement for "community," while describing open source as a method of collaboration between people who do the work.