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WORLDWIDE Vol. 10 (No. 3) September 2008
The Trap of Pessimism There are different types and origins of pessimism concerning the functioning and future of human societies. This should be borne in mind when some of us, occasionally perhaps most of us, feel disappointment, anger, or even despair owing to the seemingly little progress we are making. Pessimism need namely not be spontaneous; it can be purposefully induced and cultivated. 1. Pessimism owing to ignorance and lack of education. Many people find it hard to imagine that the oligarchic system, disguised as "democracy" or not, might ever be replaced by a system where decision-making would lie in their own hands. Even if not satisfied with the treatment they are exposed to on the part of the power-holders, they believe that it´s normal and necessary. If they are sent to war, they obey and die, killing and mutilating hundreds of thousands of innocent women and children, convinced that they do all this for their country, for freedom, for their comrades, or for another lofty purpose. I have read a book by Stephen Crane called The Red Badge of Courage. It is an apotheosis of War as such, regardless of any background or reason for waging it. I would prefer to call it The Red Badge of Stupidity. To this category also belong various perverted and fanatical religious beliefs forcing some individuals to perpetrate all sorts of atrocities because it pleases "God". 2. Pessimism owing to cultural setting. Owing to the historical background and geographical location, it seems that certain types of political culture suffer from inertia and lack of imagination preventing the people living there from accepting the ideas of DD, even if, in other respects, they are as intelligent and informed as the inhabitants of any other country. A case in point is Sweden. There is a saying: "Confronted with a new idea, a Swede sees obstacles; an American sees opportunities." In this particular respect, I prefer the American way. 3. Pessimism owing to oligarchic manipulation. Let me quote once more Senator Mike Gravel (see the previous issue of this newsletter): "The representative system of government structurally maintains citizens in civic adolescence." "Many stakeholders in the status quo perpetuate the myth that the people are not wise enough to enact laws on policies that affect their lives." The most horrible and criminal form of manipulation are the artificially created conflicts, domestic or international, forcing the grassroots to blindly follow their leaders who promise to "protect" them. Nevertheless, lack of insight and of self-confidence among the citizenry is not the only reason. Below the surface, we can discern a more sordid motive: reluctance to assume responsibility. It is convenient and practical not to be obliged to bother. "Let the politicians do their job. I just want to have a good time as long as it lasts. The future? Other people? Who cares!" How many people are thinking in this way? Most of them, I am afraid. Perhaps a major catastrophe will be needed to shake them from their indolence. Perhaps Mr.George Sagi is right: "Only from the Ruins... " But if we believe so, we ourselves are falling into the trap of pessimism we try to avoid. Maybe the number of those who understand all this will go on increasing to the point beyond which the criminal wielding of power by oligarchies will become untenable. Maybe some of us will live to witness barricades being raised again and above them, the victorious DD flag agitated by the storm, auguring a better future for our children .... First International Conference/Congress on Direct Democracy Příbram, Czech Republic, 25th - 27th August 1998 "Through this particular exercise of talking about all the various projects we´ll understand that what we are truly involved in is a movement, it´s a global movement, it´s happening all over the world and we are just some of the people who are doing this." PhD Ted Becker, Professor of Political Science, USA "I was very grateful that they took that picture... I think it will probably be, if we're correct in our beliefs we share, that that picture will be one of the most significant pictures in the next century. And that will be because this is the first convocation globally of individuals who aspire at how to advance Direct Democracy. This is very significant. That has never happened in the History of Mankind. And so, this is the first." Mike Gravel, former Senator of the USA Participants: USA Canada Switzerland Germany Belgium Sweden Finland Denmark Portugal Japan South Korea Greece Australia Czech Republic Developments until 2008: 1998: It was agreed upon that a second DD Conference would be held in Greece in 2000; Prof. Becker set up the website www.auburnedu/tann and the discussion channel cicdd@yahoogroups.com 1999: Regular reports about the activities of the Initiative and Referendum Institute, USA, sent by Mr.Dane Waters; establishement of contacts with Prof. Peter C.Dienel, Germany, and publication of the materials we were receiving from him; new contacts: Mr.Donald Davison, USA, Mr.Ivan Christof, Bulgaria, Mr.John A.Newel, USA, Mr.Stuart Baurmann, USA, Prof Mikael Reber, USA; Mr.Giuseppe Strano, Italy; Dr.Michael Macpherson, Germany, Mr.Jeff Sowers, USA, Mr.Ian Woods, Canada, Dr.Akinori Shinoto, Japan; Mr.Jaroslav Langer, Germany; MSc. Miroslav Kolar, Canada;Prof. Mohssen Massarrat, Germany; Mr. Mikael Nordfors, Sweden; The May 1999 Conference on Initiative and Referendum, USA; Mr.George Sagi´s book A Theory of Direct Democracy; information about Porto Alegre supplied by Ademar Becker; Europa-Magazin published by Dr.Paul Ruppen: additional information about Philadelphia II supplied by Sen.Gravel; The National Referendum Movement, co-founder Mr.Cudrtis Parham; letter from Mr. Donald Kemner 2000: A Conference in Budapest: Direct Democracy - The Eastern and Central European Experience, organized by the Institute for Legal Studies, Hungarian Academy of Sciences. Dr.Milan Valach´s book The World at a Watershed; new contacts: Mr.Evan Ravitz, USA; Mr.José Abreu, Portugal; Dr.M.J.van den Hoven, the Netherlands; the establishment of the NDDIE; a letter from Mr.Shuji Imamoto, Japan; an article on Participatory Direct Democracy by Mr.Thomas Mcarthur; Direct Democracy Conference organized by The UVA Center for Governmental Studies, USA; The Direct Democracy Manifesto by Mr.Aki Orr; June 2000: Second International Conference/Congress on Direct Democracy held in Athens and Delphi; organizer: Mr.George Kokkas; the death of Eng.Jaroslav Koci, Czech Republic; Information from Mr.John Suhr, The Electric City Society; First NDDIE Conference in Munich; a DD Conference held in May in Stockholm; a parallel WDDM/GDDM Conference with the participation of Sen. Mike Gravel. More information from the USA, South America, Spain, Canada, Switzerland, UK, France, Germany, and Japan. 2001: A meeting in Lund, Sweden, attended by Sen.Gravel, Mikael Nordfors, members of the Czech DD Movement and PhD Jiri Polak; more information from around the world, new contacts; 2 new graphic Models of Future Democracy (by Mr.Lee Gottlieb, USA, and Mr.Bernard Clayson, UK; Conference of Czech Citizen Initiatives - second NDDIE Workshop (Brno, Czech Republic); Announcement: Edwin and Joyce Koupal Memorial Conference on Direct Democracy, USA, to be held in 2002; Second NDDIE Conference, Prague, Czech Republic; continued established and new contacts; Prof. Ted Becker´s book The Future of Teledemocracy with the National Electronic Town Meeting Design. 2002: The Memorial Conference held as planned in Virginia, USA; international reports; the establishment of contacts with the Simultaneous Policy Organization, UK; establishment of contacts with the Global Outlook published by Mr.Ian Woods, Canada; new reports, particularly about the organization of Planning Cells in Germany. The concept of Deliberative Direct Democracy comes to the fore; the book A Constitution of Direct Democracy by Prof. Ph.D. Michael Noah Mautner, New Zealand, begins to be distributed; the Third NDDIE Conference held in Bratislava, Slovak Republic.Organizers: Mr.Arjen Nijeboer, Dr.Franz Isemann, and Mr.Heiko Dittmer. Attempt to found a Direct Democracy Party in Sweden; Discussions about Internet Voting: How Safe? 2003: Continued contacts with members of the network: Dr.Bruno Kaufmann, Thomas Rupp, Vladimir Rott, M. Dane Waters, M.Kolar, Bruce Eggum, and others; publication of The Initiative and Referendum Almanac: A Comprehensive Guide to the Initiative and Referendum Process in the U.S. compiled by Mr.M.Dane Waters. Mr.Stephen Rayner, UK: The Campaign for Genuine Democracy (a paper); in various countries, voices are raised criticising the existing party-based systems and calling for change; the concept of E-Government appears; More information from Prof. Dienel on the planning areas and countries in which Planning Cells have been used so far. New contacts, ex. Triaca from Hawaii; the publication of an anti-militaristic novel Závody (The Races) by Jiri Polak; a report about OrV amento participativo in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Publication of The Dream, a novel by Mr.George Sagi; October: A Symposium on Planning Cells held in Wuppertal, Germany, to celebrate Prof. Peter C.Dienel´s eightieth birthday. The concept of E-Democracy begins to be discussed. 2004: A report from Albacete, Spain, "Porto Alegre de la Mancha". Article by Mr.Syd Baumel on the opportunity of voting for the National Initiative for Democracy, USA. Continuing contacts and reports. Interestingly, the idea of DD is taking root in Siberia where people are more democratically-minded than in the Metropolis. The Article Using Citizen Deliberative Councils to Make Democracy More Potent and Awake by Mr.Tom Atlee published in the Co-Intelligence channel. Latin America comes to the fore: An important article published by Mr.Juan Carlos García Madroňal was sent to several channels. Conclusions: "During the latest 20 years, we can observe a wave of constitutional reforms providing DD tools in many countries." In Andorra, Mr.Josep Lluís Ortega brings interesting proposals to promote DD. Interesting reports come from Greece (Mr.Kokkas), Australia (Mr.John Abercrombie), and Taiwan (Dr. Bruno Kaufmann). New publications by Global Outlook; Professional Conference in Berlin: "Die Befreiung der Politik zu langfristigen Denken". Publication in Swedish: Direkt Demokratie - historia - analyser - perspektiv by Jiri Polak. A letter from Singapore, sent by Mr.Erik Lim; Mr.Leopoldo Salgui sets up the discussion channel "Another Democracy is Possible" (in Spanish). Continued discussions on the safety of internet voting. 2005: Mr.Lee Gottlieb proposes to found a Direct Democracy Party of the United States; he also publishes the book A plea for direct democracy - A THEORY OF SUBVERSION; The background of 9/11 is increasingly discussed. The suspicion grows: "September 11 Attacks Orchestrated by US". In the UK, Mr. Tony Adeney publishes the book 24.1. - The Case for Direct Democracy; in the Netherlands, Ms Filia den Hollander, co-ordinator of the European Project of People's Constitution for the EU, is the most prominent lady activist within our Movement. A comprehensive graphic model of a future political system of the USA is published by Mr.Lee Gottlieb. In the Czech Republic, a new, DD Party is in the making, especially thanks to Mr.Petr Czasch. The draft of a Citizens´ Constitution is discussed by DD activists. On the European level, a European Citizens´ Constitution is promoted, among others, by Ms Filia den Hollander in her project called Everyone´s a Citizen Baby. A similar project is launched in France by Mr. Yvan Bachaud. Prof.Peter C.Dienel´s project proposal: Konzeption eines Einsatzes - the compilation of a European Constitution should be assigned to a series of Planning Cells. Publication and distribution of a Guidebook to Direct Democracy, officially sponsored from Switzerland. In September: a Mini-conference held in Prague. Beside European participants, we had the pleasure of becoming personally acquainted with one of the most prominent DD personalities globally, Mr.Lee Gottlieb, USA. A report about vivid DD activities in Greece, sent by Mr.George Kokkas. 2006: Meeting in Prague with representatives for a Polish Movement demanding a reform of the system. Requirement: Voting for Parliament should be organized on the basis of election districts rather than parties. Re-edition of Prof. Peter C.Dienel´s classical book Die Planungszelle. Ms Filia den Hollander obtained a prize for her promotion of DD. USA: Publication of Prof.Majid Behrouzi´s books Democracy as the Political Empowerment of the People and Democracy as the Political Empowerment of the Citizen. The concept of e-DDD appears as an improved model of simple DD. Candidacy of Senator Mike Gravel for President of the USA. Prof.Peter C.Dienel promotes PC in Siberia. Reports from Sen. Gravel's election campaign. In Czech Republic, an internet-based voting system is presented by. Mrs.Jarmila Kubátová. A report from Ukraine sent by Miss Maria Ivanova to the Citizen Power Magazine, USA: There is an Academy of Direct Democracy there, led by three female students. The interest for DD is spreading round the world. 2007: Valuable information continues to be published by Prof.Ted Becker´s Journal of Public Deliberation. A very sad and shocking news. At the age of 83 years dies Prof Peter C.Dienel. His work is bound to lay the foundations of a true democracy in Europe and elsewhere. In Venezuela, Pres.Hugo Chavez promotes Direct Democracy (Libyan type). Sen. Mike Gravel ´s television debate with Mr.Barack Obama meets with enthusiasm. The media speek about "Gravelomania". In the State of Vermont, there is a movement demanding secession from the USA owing to the criminal neo-conservative policy. In Czech Republic, the Anti US Radar Movement gathers momentum. In the USA, the 9/11 Truth Movement grows. Indirect, but very convincing proofs of the administration´s clandestine involvement are published especially in the Canadian magazine Global Outlook. Mr.Lee Gottlieb updates his web pages: Chapters for Change. In the UK, a new website - My Verdict - "an Exercise in Direct Democracy" is launched, inviting the citizens to directly vote on policy issues. Mr.Bernard Clayson runs a similar website: New Political System. A report from E.A.R (Helenic Direct Democracy Movement). 2008: (so far) Continued discussions about deliberative democracy. New DD websites appear. In Czech Republic the new DD party - the Democracy Movement - is formally registered. It participates, through 70 candidates, in this autumn´s regional elections. The gap between public opinion and the the establishment's behavior deepens. Continued discussions about the draft of a Citizens´ Constitution. In the USA, publication of Sen. Mike Gravel's already classical book Citizen Power. In Canada, Mr.Mirek Kolar re-vitalizes the WDDM - Worldwide Direct Democracy Movement .................. USA 23 June, News from the Democracy Foundation - advancing Democracy is The Responsibility of All Citizens! Some quotations: "Welcome to the second edition of the NI4D newsletter. I want to thank all those who took the time to offer ideas and feedback following the first edition. ..." "As we mentioned in our first letter, Senator Mike Gravel, the founder of The Democracy Foundation and author of the National Initiative, was running for president of the United States in order to use the celebrity nature of a presidential campaign to focus national media attention on the National Initiative and how it can empower American citizens to gain control of their government. ...." "The Senator recently published Citizen Power: A Mandate for Change ... " 29 June, a new website: Beyond Plutocracy - Direct Democracy for America (by Roger D Rothenberger) http://www.beyondplutocracy.com 21 July, answering a letter sent by Mr.Mark Antell, Mr.David Frank wrote, "Mark, thank you for the email. .... I head an organization called "One Voice Now". Our website is " onevoicenow.org " .... Excerpts from Mr Mark Antel's letter: "#1. Mike Gravel calls for a new Declaration of
Independence 2008 http://www.democracy-international.org/book-direct-democracy.html 29 June, a letter sent round by Mr.Bernard Clayson
(abbreviated), "I received the following from one of the Israeli groups,
and, not for the first time, struck me as to how apt it is in global politics
today. I also wonder if it has ever been any different. 7 August, a letter sent round by Mr.George Kokkas (excerpt), "I have to declare my presence not only in Greece, but also in the European level as we decided to take part again in the next European Parliament elections (June 2009) with our direct democratic European political Party (called "European Sympoliteia - with - Direct Democracy", established 2004, having gathered appr. 4000 votes only in Greece, asking for allies and your personal assistance!" ....... 12 August, a letter sent to me by Mr.Federico Tonini - PNR Italia, "Dear Mr.Polak, I read with extreme interest your writings about Direct Democracy, because of the fact that we have started in Italy a political movement ( www.democrazia-federale.it ) based on exactly the same ideas and with a similar program." ........ At the same time, Mr.Tonini also approached Mr.George Kokkas in Greece: "Dear Mr.Kokkas, let me say first of all that I am very happy I could establish this contact with you, both in general terms and for the fact that I believe between Italians and Greeks there is a special feeling. We have started our movement because we believe the enormous problems we are experiencing in Italy since a few years are originated from the corruption and misbehaviour of all political parties, and we strongly believe the political parties system is acting against the will of Italian citizens in their large majority. Most of Italians look at the news in TV and ask themselves how the hell is it possible that all our ethical values are being destroyed one after another for no reason at all, together with the living standard of the people. For this reason, while I have a great respect for all the theoretical work being realized in universities and think-tanks all over Europe, we at Democrazia Federale strongly believe the real action we have to arrange is to educate the people (or a part of the people) to take the political power in their own hands and decide for themselves what is good and what is not good. ...... " (Exactly!!! JP) Mr.Kokkas' answer was very positive, indeed. Among other things, he wondered whether the New Italian DD organization would be able and willing to organize a new international conference. We'll see. Prof.Peter C.Dienel´s book Die Planungszelle has been translated into Czech and is going to be published by the Marek Belza Publishing House. So far, this is the first translation ever of this book to another language. In July, Mr.Miroslav Kolar sent round information about his recent trip to Ecuador, a country with a long tradition of struggle for the people's access to political decision-making. Mr.Kolar´s letter contains, among other things, several web-site addresses worth checking. See wddm@world-wide-democracy.net 15 August, an announcement received from the redaction of Renta básica: Convocatoria de participación Encuentro Iberoamericano de Ingreso Ciudadano Buenos Aires, argentina, 6 y 7 de noviembre de 2008 "Continuando con sus tareas tendientes a promover el debate acerca del Ingreso Ciudadano, la Red Argentina de Ingreso Ciudadano (Redaic) organiza un Encuentro Iberoamericano con el objetivo de discutir esta propuesta en relación con problemas relevantes en América Latina" 21 June, a letter sent by Mr.Triaka-Don Smith to the worldcit discussion channel (abbreviated): "At the time of the American Revolution and establishment of the U.S. Constitution, the deadliest weapons of war were the cannon, musket, pistol and saber. There were no weapons of mass destruction as exist today, like nuclear, biological and psychological, developed by the military-industrial complex and forcibly financed by taxpayers. Today, U.S. voters still elect "leaders" to powerful positions in the federal government, including the President as "Commander-in-Chief" of the armed forces, who can utilize the same Constitutional power of 1776 to unleash all kinds of deadly weapons on populations, wherever and whenever the President chooses, with not even minimal testing for moral or ethical values required. What bloated political ego's! What dictatorial insanity! What an antiquated and unbalanced system of governance!" ........... 13 July, the same author: Aloha! In the Spirit of Aloha, Europa-Magazin 1/2008 Articles: Dossier "Demokratie" 6 May, an answer to PVR sent by Mr. Jim Powell to the WDDM discussion channel: "1. Let us not be academic; 2. Put up the various definitions and vote on it; 3. We have a workable, proven product in Switzerland. Not perfect but it works; 4. Each area or country will decide the details of the DD; 5. The basic rule is that the Politicians are the employees of the voters. The voters decide which politicians are employed and pay them; 6. Get this message out there and get the community believing that they can control the politicians; 7. Directly challenge the politicians to explain why the voters are not in charge of them." 26 July, an answer sent by Mr.David Frank to Dr.Georges Metanomski through the WDDM discussion channel: "We are trying to build a one world government from the ground-up, one community at a time. Please check out our plan at "onevoicenow.org" and let us know what you think. All of the technology that we need is here and right in front of us. All it takes is enough people demanding it." SIMPOL "Here are the most popular discussions by number of views: Monetary Reform: 1716; Contraction and Convergence: 1226; Tradable Energy Quotas: 1109; Nuclear Disarmament: 933; The Simultaneous Policy campaign: 918; Ground all aircraft: 917; Remodelling Companies to Become Stakeholder-Governed Organisation: 909; The Oil Depletion Protocol: 900; The Tobin Tax: 898; Weapons spending excluded from GDP calculations: 887 .............. If you haven't visited before or for a while, why not do so now by clicking http://www.simpol.org.uk/forum/ Vol.10 (No. 3) September 2008 |