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WORLDWIDE Vol.7 (No. 3) September 2005
DD - a Historical Necessity (cont.)(by Jiri Polak) The period of Rule by Representation and Ideology began in the late 18th Century, with the Great French Revolution and the establishment of the USA. Both these revolutions were presented and justified as inaugurating an era of Rule by Citizens. However, in practice, owing to low level of social development and communication technology, such a rule had to be established and maintained indirectly, by electing citizen representatives. And, since society was deeply divided into classes or interest groups, inevitably, to be elected, the candidates had to identify themselves with a certain class or group and pretend to represent the interests of that particular group. Thus, the representation system was (and still is) based on conflicts: conflicts among employers and employees, among peasants and city dwellers, among religions, races, nations and regions. Inevitably, the representatives have not been interested in any real solutions to these conflicts. On the contrary, they have been interested in the perpetuation of these conflicts as a base of their power and privileges. A new, political aristocracy has emerged, not quite hereditary (but family relations and other personal contacts have continued to play an important, or even crucial role.) Instead of the ideology of feudalism, the new aristocracy has developed an ideology of group representation as (the only possible and true) democracy. This ideology is still maintained by virtually all party politicians and other members of the establishment, including the media. This system is not democracy because in a genuine democracy, policy has to be responsive to the interests of the citizenry as a whole, not to this or that group, and certainly not to the interests of a political class. A genuine democracy must be directly controlled by ordinary citizens, not by organizations who, inevitably, develop oligarchic interests of their own. We live enslaved under a gigantic bluff. This is why millions of innocent people are doomed to die in unnecessary wars, why we face gradual deterioration of our environment, why many desperate and powerless individuals are driven to terrorism. These individuals do not oppose "Western values", "democracy", and "liberty". They oppose the imperialism, the arrogance, and the exploitation of the poor perpetrated by Western oligarchies in the name of the citizens living in their privileged countries. In a genuine democracy, there would be no terrorism because its causes would vanish. A genuine democracy would be based on social harmony, tolerance, mutual respect, stable peace, alleviation of poverty, and the preservation of natural environment. This vision is the ultimate rationale of the DD movement. This vision is what we are fighting for. (to be continued)
Konzeption eines Einsatzes by Prof.Peter. C. Dienel (Translated from German and slightly abreviated) The problems of Europe, supposed to be solved by a Constitution, are numerous and pressing. Above all, however, they are highly relevant for our own further development. Their solution by means of a European Constitution appears at present to be blocked. What should we do? Of decisive importance would be a Consensus among the European Citizenry concerning the necessary solutions to European problems. Such a consensus about one or several of these problems can be established using the participatory innovation known as "The Planning Cell"; afterwards, it could be presented for the public. (Basic literature: Dienel, P.C., Die Planungszelle. Der Bürger als Chance. 5. edition /updated for 2002/, Westdeutscher Verlag, Wiesbaden 2002) The PC Project: In the respective 25 countries, a total of 4,000 randomly selected people are entitled to use 16,000 paid work days to penetrate, as well as possible, the problems in question during discussions in small groups, so as to reach an agreement on recommended solutions. 5 of these countries, should organize 4 PCs each, 10 of them 6 PCs each, and the 10 countries having the most numerous populations should hold 8 PCs each. All of them treat simultaneously the same problem. In spite of lingistic differences, the results of their assessment are mutually comparable and can be therefore presented for the authority who had ordered it, i.e. the EU, as one single citizen assessment (Bürgergutachten). The model is well-tried. Until now, more than 8,000 persons ("lay jurors") have participated in the preparation of public decisions. As expected, their participation has brought about useful results. ........ Possible alternatives. The PC model is clearly superior to the attempts to involve citizens in the formulation and legitimatization of EU policy by means of plebiscites. Also the "Citizen Forums", mentioned recently, when realized, have proved far less efficient than the participation process here proposed. .... PCs are faster and realizeable without problems. A possible test. The novelty of the PC procedure might induce those who use it for the first time to test it by organizing a smaller project before the full scale one. This could be done simultaneously in 3 countries holding 6 PCs each; the cost would be ca 400.000 euro. (The big project involving 4.000 random jurors in 25 countries would cost about 4,300.000 euro.) ... The costs. Taking into consideration the benefit (as compared to other imaginable participation procedures), the project here suggested is extremely worthwhile. .................................................... "I believe that the Planning Cell is a good and appropriate tool for increased citizen participation in many very practical political issues and thus also for increased consensus in our community." (A quotation from the speech delivered by former Federal President of Germany, Johannes Rau: Grusswort von Bundespräsident Johannes Rau anlässlich der Fachtagung "Die Befreiung der Politik zu langfristigen Denken" am 26.Mai 2004 in Berlin; translated from German.)
GERMANY Publications: Bürgergutachten zum Verbraucherschutz in Bayern. Im Auftrag des Bayerischen Staatsministeriums für Gesundheit, Ernährung und Verbraucherschutz. Juni 2002 Bürgergutachten Rheinland-Pfalz: Miteinander der Generationen in einer älter werdenden Gesellschaft; November 2004 Peter C.Dienel: Die kommende Verstetigung des Angebotes Bürgerrolle; Schlussreferat der Fachkonferenz: "Die Befreiung der Politik zu langfristigem Denken", Berlin, Ernst-Reuter-Haus, 26./27.Mai 2004
Zeitschrift für Direkte Demokratie 3/05 Important articles - a selection: Bruno Kaufmann: Transnationale Demokratie; Michael Efler: Konzepte der Weltdemokratie; Steffen Steglich: Globale Demokratie: Utopie oder mögliche Aussicht? Komittee für eine demokratische UNO: Internationale Demokratie entwickeln; Michael Efler und Percy Rohde: Demokratie in den EU-Institutionen? Herbert Schliffka: Bürgerkonvent für Europa; Manfred Josef Pauli: Warnung vor falschen Illusionen; Gerald Häfner: Volkssouverenität ist das Herz der Demokratie Number of members of Mehr Demokratie 08.07.2005: 3942! Congratulations!
USA 25 July, information from Mr.Miroslav Kolar: New submission to http://democracy.mkolar.org/newURL.html LINK: http://athensproject.com - a small effort underway in Maryland. The Athens Project is an effort to elect people of any party or none to hold office and submit to popular will via direct democracy database application. People willing to run for office, willing to write articles for the web page or link to existing resources, willing to link athensproject to their DD related websites are all needed. ... If we can get a candidate who pledges to govern this way on a ballot for any office anywhere, a probono database programmer has agreed to produce a demo of the direct democracy web application. I have a long shot independent campaign for Montgomery County Council begun, starting with an online petition to get on the ballot. (Party candidates need no signatures.) Feel free to write. William Jacobs, athensproject@gmail.com USA, 2005/7/25 18.8. quotations
from a letter sent by Prof.Ted Becker (probably the most prominent
expert on DD worldwide): "That is exactly what you and I need to be doing
... making I+R and delib dem ... one trunk, not two branches. I've been toying
with the notion of a new way of presenting that concept, one that is attractive
and accurate. So, I've come up with the phrase: Direct Deliberative Democracy,
or D3. By employing it, it necessitates the merger of the two ... and destroys
the false bifurcation of saying that "deliberative democracy" can only
be effective at the local level." ...
CANADA A very relevant and lucid approach to the same ideas as those presented above can be found in Mr.Miroslav Kolar´s Proposal for Non-Adversarial Decision-Making: Combining the Majority vote with Consensus Building (see http://democracy.mkolar.org/consensus.html )
24 June, information from Mr.Larry Gordon: Fair Vote Canada Newsletter For the latest news on voting system reform, visit www.fairvote.ca In this issue: Parliamentary committee proposes federal reform process; Strong majority supports PR system for BC; Reform moving forward in PEI and Ontario; Reform process less clear in Quebec and New Brunswick; FVC holds 4th AGM in Parliament Buildings; FVC election results announced; It´s FVC t-shirt season Parliamentary Committee proposes Federal Reform Process On June 16, the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs tabled their report on a federal electoral reform process. If adopted by Parliament, a Parliamentary committee and a citizens´ consultation committee would be established to concurrently engage Canadians in an electoral reform discussion. The Parliamentary committee would then make a final recommendation to the House by February 28, 2006. ".... the Committee concluded that Parliament, rather than the electorate, should make the decision on how Parliament is elected." However, the FVC statement also noted the proposed process could be made credible and effective, if the citizens consultation committee was empowered to make a recommendation that subsequently went to a national referendum. Strong Majority supports PR System for BC In Canada´s first electoral reform referendum, more than 57 percent voted in favour of the BC-STV recommendation proposed by the B.C. Citizens´ Assembly on Electoral Reform. A majority voted yes in 77 of the 79 ridings. In the two other ridings, support was just over 49 percent. The yes vote fell short of the 60 percent threshold set by Premier Campbell, whose government was returned to office with only 46 percent support. Ironically, the premier said he would not "impose" the change that attracted far more support than his own government and more support than the great majority of MLAs ......
INDIA 9 August, information from Mr.Milap Choraria concerning People´s Constitution, Petition on "THE RIGHT TO REMEDY ACT 2005". "I have submitted a Petition with draft of Law "THE RIGHT TO REMEDY ACT 2005", before Petition Committee of Rajyasabha (Council of States), and posted the same at: http://map-india.tripod.com/p2rl Kindly copy it and after replacing your name as Petitioner kindly send it to the Petition Committee of Rajyasabha, Parliament Annexe Building, Parliament Street, New Delhi - 110001."
KENYA 26 June, a letter from Mr.Omondi George: "Hello, I am Omondi George, Co-ordinator of the Centre for Direct Democracy (CDD), a registered NGO in Kenya - East Africa. I am writing to inform you as a key member of the global DD network of a new development in this East African country and to seek your support for the same. Kenya is set to hold the first Referendum ever on the constitution later this year. Our organization is the only DD NGO in this country and we are already planning to participate in citizen education, referendum monitoring and all the other processes that go with the referendum. The task ahead of us is big and this is why we seek your help. We would be grateful if you could consider assisting the centre in terms of financial/material resources, technical expertise or in any other appropriate ways as we prepare for Kenya´s first ever referendum on the national constitution. We would also be glad if you offered suggestions of grantmakers known to you who can help us in this cause." Omondi George, Co-ordinator, Centre for Direct Democracy (CDD), KCB Plaza Jogoo Road, 4th floor. P.O.Box 45078 00100; cdd-kenya@hotmail.com "
SPAIN A new link (in Spanish): http://www.democracia-real.org
SWITZERLAND/SWEDEN The above publication has been sponsored by Presence Switzerland PRS ( www.presence.ch ) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation ( www.deza.ch ). Edited and produced by Bruno Kaufmann (coordinator) and collaborators. The book will be distributed at the coming September Conference. Dr.Bruno Kaufmann has also published (in Swedish) an information booklet Initiativ för Sverige - direktdemokratiska vägar för att stärka den representativa demokratin Perhaps the most useful argument in favor of DD concerns a direct linkage between the degree of DD and the economic performance of the respective society. These data are based on empirical research comparing Swiss cantons in which there are differences as to the degree of DD. (Some of them have more DD, some have less.) "The use of direct democratic instruments is favorable for economy. According to empirical research, such use results in 15% higher per capita income, it reduces the flight of capital by 30% and the degree of public indebtedness by 25%, while it makes public service cheaper by 20%. That is to say, popular initiative increases the efficiency of economy and develops a social system more compatible with the needs of ordinary people." We can also refer to the research of Prof.Frey, who draws similar conclusions as to people's general well-being and satisfaction. The publications mentioned above contain very useful and insightful materials, but they take a narrow view of DD as a point of departure. In this perspective, only Initiative and Referendum is to be considered as direct democracy. Many researchers and activists round the world, by contrast, operate from a broad, or synthetic view of DD, also including in this concept structured citizen deliberation, people´s constitutions, direct citizen participation in budgetary processes (Porto Alegre, Albacete ....), alternative models of true democracy, as well as models of electronic voting and communication on the grassroot level. This synthetic approach is the viewpoint of this Newsletter. It will certainly be convenient to call this broader approach Direct Deliberative Democracy (DDD or D3) according to Prof.Becker´s proposal. (see above under USA)
Main Principles of the Draft of Citizens´ Constitution of Czech Republic: 1. The principle that any Constitution, to be truly democratic, must be written by the Citizens, not by politicians who have a vested interest in establishing a constitutional structure giving them (the political class) as much power as possible, while paying only lip service to the principle of People´s sovereignty. In Czech Republic, a democratic reform is particularly urgent because the abyss dividing politicians and the citizens is perhaps deeper than in any other European country, including Slovakia, the former federal partner of the Czech part of Czechoslovakia. Ideally, a Citizens´ Constitution should be compiled on the basis of recommendations formulated by a series of Planning Cells (Prof.Dienel´s model). For practical reasons, this has not been possible so far. Therefore the draft has been compiled and published by a group of qualified citizens without any sponsoring and without any hope for economic compensation. 2. The principle that modern societies have become so complicated that no representative body is able to really penetrate all problems presented for voting. Therefore, these bodies must be completed by a permanent structure consisting of Citizens´ Commissions operating according to the Planning Cell model and financed from the taxes. 3. The principle of separation of the legislative and the executive branch of government, while the latter must be non-partisan. 4. The principle of direct personal election of a non-partisan Head of State. 5. The principle of accountability and possibility of recall of all elected representatives at any moment, even between elections. 6. The principle that the salaries of all representatives - who are financed from the taxes - have to be determined and regularly adjusted by randomly selected Citizen Commissions operating according to the PC model. (obrázek 3)
EUROPE 22 June, Dem.Intern.Newsletter ( http://www.democracy-international.org ) Content 1) PLAN D = DICTATE? 2) ECI: HOW TO PROCEED? 3) FUTURE OF THE EU-REFERENDUMS 4) SOUTH TYROL: STRUGGLE FOR DIRECT DEMOCRACY 19 August, Democracy International Newsletter Content 1) BREAKTHROUGH IN SOUTH TYROL 2) BERLIN: LAST GAP FILLED 3) SLOVAKIA: ILLEGAL RATIFICATION? 4) WANTED: INTERNS 5) NEXT MEETING 27 July, information from Dr.M J. Macpherson on democracy-europe@yahoogroups.com "Mehr Demokratie in den Bezirken bringt die Änderung der Berliner Verfassung sowie des Bezirksverwaltungsgesetzes durch das Berliner Abgeordnetenhaus. Mitte Juni wurden in Berlin Bürgerbegehren und Bürgerentscheide auf Bezirksebene eingeführt. Die Änderungen, welche am 16. Juli in Kraft getreten sind, bedeuten ein Mehr an Demokratie für die Berlienerinnen und Berliener. Initiativen können die neuen
Mitbestimmungsrechte nutzen und ein Bürgerbegehren starten. Die Bedingungen sin
im bundesweiten Vergleich sehr bürgerfreundlich. Die Bürger/innen haben auch
das Recht, sich von Ihrem zuständigen Bezirksamt beraten zu lassen." Conference: In early August, the IRI Europe sent round the following information: (abbreviated) "Direct Democracy in Europe - Current Position and Research Prospects for the 21st Century" 20th-22nd October 2005 at the Liechtenstein Institute (Bendern/FL) For more information, please see www.liechtenstein-institut.li and www.iri-europe.org "Ladies and Gentlemen, It is great pleasure for us to invite you to the symposium on "Direct Democracy in Europe - Current Position and Prospects for the 21st Century". This academic conference is the first event hosted by the European Research Network "Direct Democracy" and is being jointly organised by the Liechtenstein Institute, the Research Centre for Citizen Participation and Direct Democracy at the University of Marburg, and the Initiative and Referendum Institute Europe. .... Referendums - as a complement to elections - are playing an increasingly important role in involving citizens in the political process. .... These developments in modern democracy have not gone unnoticed in the academic world. Research and documentation centres on direct democracy have been created at numerous universities and such international organisations as the Council of Europe and the Stockholm-based International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) have set up initial research networks. ... The symposium "Direct Democracy in Europe - Current Position and Prospects for the 21st Century" is intended by the host organisations as an invitation to the launch of a European Research Network on Direct Democracy. ... "
EUROPEAN CONSTITUTION (citizen initiatives) In the previous issue of this Newsletter, you could read an information about the project Everyone´s a Citizen Baby organized by Ms Filia den Hollander. On 6 August, we received an information from Wikitution, concerning the same project: (Quotations) Europe needs a free and democratic constitution It is time to write a free and democratic European constitution to save Europe from falling apart and to make Europe a democratic unity. We belive that a constitution should be written by the citizens, not by European officials, who are too remote from the citizens and too immersed in the current workings of te EU to come up with an attractive document. The citizens of France and the Netherlands rejected the constitution for many reasons. The text is too long, too complicated and too bureaucratic. It is a constitution written by states, not by citizens. In fact, it was a treaty between the member states of the EU. We believe that Europe needs a free and democratic constitution written by citizens of Europe and accepted by the huge majority of citizens in the European Union. For pragmatic reasons, we take existing drafts to improve upon, rather than writing a new constitution from scratch. We hope to cover all possible issues in this way. The drafts in use are: * The official draft Treaty (http://europa.eu.int/constitution/), the ratification process of which is now uncertain due to its rejection in referendums in France and the Netherlands * Inspired by a Letter to the Editor in The Economist, a revived version of that magazine´s 2000 draft constitution http://www.economist.com/displaystory.cfm?story_id=403911 If you want to start a new european language please take the text of your language from this website (http://europa.eu.int/constitution/) and integrate it into wikitution. First take the Table Of Content and copy it into the Main Page of your Language. Change all entries to internal links so that they are clickable. Have a look at the english or german version how to organize the different parts of the constitution. Then start to modify the text. Have a look at our Wikitution: project guidelines. Please help us to write a better constitution. http://www.wikitution.org/index.php/Main_Page ............. Is this a realistic project? It is true, there are a lot of challenges. If the constitution shall be written by citizens from all Member States, it has to be accessible in a lot of different languages, Also will it not be easy to decide about what the final draft will be. Even if these (and other) problems might bar our way, we at least should give it a try. And even if we failed and never got to a final draft within it, this initiative at least will be the source for a large part of the content of the Constitution we finally will have to decide about. So please do not hesitate to join! This approach could be combined with Prof.Dienel´s proposal reported at the front page of this issue. (JP)
THE WORLD 3 June, information sent by eco@in.gr to wbm@world-wide-democracy.net : DIRECT DEMOCRATIC CONFEDERATION WITH COLLECTIVE DECISIONS, START-ING FROM EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD, AND RENEWABLE ONE YEAR SERVICE FROM ONE LIST TO FACE CORRUPTION, COMPETITION, CRIMINALITY, ADDICTIVES, SOCIAL DECOMPOSITION BEST WISHES TO ALL YOUR INSPIRED AND OPTIMIST D.DEMOCRATS! (For links please contact the WDDM webmaster.)
14 August, a letter sent by Mr.Didier Coeurnelle: "The Citizens for a United Nations People´s Assembly ( www.empowertheun.org ) is in the midst of a major Open Letter campaign and we need your support! In June we hand-delivered an Open Letter with accompanying signatures to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan requesting that a high level panel be convened toward establishing a Peoples´ Parliamentary Assembly within the United Nations organization. On July 15th, Kofi Annan replied that the UN treats the views of civil society seriously and our request will need the support of the people. We are now actively pursuing this initiative and ask that people and organizations endorse this Open Letter. Our goal is to submit 10,000 signatures by September 10, 2005! PLEASE TAKE TIME NOW and visit www.EmpowerTheUn.org to add your voice to this campaign! And please encourage your colleagues to do the same! Thank you very much!! All results will be posted on our website!"
16 June, an information from Mr.Mikael Nordfors: Dear World´s Citizens! You can watch a presentation of myself on http://tgde.org/profile.phtml?id=162 Mikael Nordfors, MD
SIMPOL 6 August, inormation from Mr.John Bunzl: "Dear Adopter of SP, The Summer 2005 issue of It´s Simpol, ISPO´s newsletter, is now available! Please download it free from the ISPO global website http://www.simpol.org/dossiers/dossier-UK/html-UK/news-UK.html (Word or pdf) or from our UK website: http://www.simpol.org.uk/campaign_newsletters.php (pdf only) Editorial and contents: Once again there is really encouraging news to share! This time it is the signing of the SP pledge by 38 candidates and 10 Members of Parliament during the 2005 general election in the UK. Read John Bunzl´s article recording successes with "SP´s novel voting strategy". In advance of the Policy Forum on corporate law reform to be organized by Simpol-UK in central London on Friday 14 October 2005, you will find out why Patrick Andrews´ description of the issues involved is titled, appropriately, From Exploitation to Sustainability. And note the link between the lead article about the G8 meeting in July by Mike Brady and Richard Lawson´s correspondence with Bill Rammel, MP. These letters are particularly relevant to a recent newspaper headline which said: act now on climate. They are a timely example of how individual action by Adopters can bring the benefits of the SP process to the attention of decision-makers at the heart of government in this instance concerning action on climate change through the adoption of Contraction and Convergence policy measures. For what it is worth, it´s interesting to note an Adopter´s letter has achieved the response: "Please be assured that your views will be forwarded to 10 Downing Street for the attention of the Prime Minister". The coming weeks will reveal whether informed comment from SP read in the corridors of power has in fact been heeded! Contents: Can the G8 Satisfy the Demands of Global
Justice Campaigners? by Mike Brady ................................. Vol. 7 (No 3) September 2005 |
