Democracy in Action III
Directer Democracy
May 1996
Colleagues, Friends.
A few weeks ago I posted the message "directer democracy" to several Internet lists/fora and directly to selected colleagues.
There was quite a good response, providing information about exciting
new developments such as the Civic Practices Network, incipient debate
about teledemocracy and sustainability, requests for further
information. I have compiled a digest of correspondence, which follows
below.
Sincerely, Michael Macpherson.
CONTENTS
1) original "directer democracy" message
2) brief list of replies, correspondence
3) longer versions of replies, correspondence
To: The Cornell Participatory Action Research Network <PARnet@cornell.edu>
MIT Political Participation Project <ppp-list@ai.mit.edu>
European Commission's Information Society Project Office (ISPO) Discussion list on ELECTRONIC DEMOCRACY <el-democracy @www.ispo.cec.be>
Political Science Research and Teaching <PSRT-L@mizzou1.missouri.edu>
Berlin "nach der Wende" 9NOV89-L@VM.GMD.DE
From: mjm@berlin.snafu.de (michael macpherson)
Subject: directer democracy
Cc: PSAMRA e-mailing list
Draft Appeal for comments of scientific or general nature:
TOWARDS A NEW CITIZENS' CHARTER:
RIGHTS TO KNOW AND DECIDE
aims of these suggestions include:
# to help build confidence of citizens to make decisions and begin to
reduce dependency on delegates and non-elected officials
# to improve quality of choice of candidates (voting)
# to provide or improve opportunities for monitoring of government,
central and local, representatives and officials
# to improve quality and increase amount of public debate on prime
issues: this can lead e.g. firstly to more informed voting, secondly to
more effective "Durchsetzung" (conception and carrying through) of
referenda, and to more refined, sophisticated exercise of plebicitary
rights (also: networking will improve ease of spreading information and
gaining support to carry out referenda) In short, to enrich the culture
of politics.
# to build a base, promote a learning process which will allow a more
deliberated participation of citizens in public decision making and
policy implementation, paving the way for more direct democracy (e.g.
more frequent referenda on a wider range of issues; direct moderation
of parliamentary decisions by citizens voting electronically).
what can citizens demand, do:
Improve availability of information - regarding all plans and
activities of government and administration, local, regional/state,
central (and committees, quangos/public organisations etc.). A few
countries are much better than others on this. (These people and
organisations are supposed to represent us, the voters, and carry out
our wishes! Do we not have a right to know what they are up to?)
Aim to re-organise "town halls" for citizens, not only for officials,
(town halls may be partly electronic, eg. with free terminals in public
places - libraries, schools, department stores - there are working
examples). This means that citizens can see, read about, all steps of
decision-making in advance. There are various possible forms (some
already tried) of "town meeting" where (prepared) issues are discussed
and (maybe in a later stage of innovation) decisions are made by
citizens voting or reaching consensus.
Citizens can communicate "laterally" among themselves as well as with
representatives and executives. The framework for this already exists
in the Internet (Internet Relay Chat etc.) and there are older methods
too! With aid of computer networking, long term problems, options for
medium-term decision-making, even threatening crises can be discussed
publicly, more effectively than ever before.
Issues: On any issue which you judge to be important use electronic
networking and also more traditional methods e.g. meetings, local or
national mass media, to find collaborators for real, improved debate
and opinion-building (politische Willensbildung?) and also as
"rehearsal" for more direct (citizen) democracy. Try various forms of
deliberation, e.g. study-groups and panels (invite experts, debate,
decide, on selected issues)(compare Fishkin, Texas; Jefferson centre);
computerised and real conferences. Make the results public. Seek to
improve and innovate in local media (e.g. citizens' radio, local t.v,
plus Stichwort: interactivity)
Elections and referenda: Independent, maybe competing analysts' and
citizens' groups can use older methods and new electronic media to
present the candidates, the issues, the financial background of
politicians, parties and campaigns, the election system (show how to
vote effectively), WELL IN ADVANCE OF POLLING DAY (compare projects in
California, Minneapolis).
Last point: Please do not wait for the data-highway to provide a better
future "on a plate" by bringing parliament into your living-room. Help
to improve democracy now, with whatever means you have!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Comments please in german, french, english or your language of choice.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dr. Michael Macpherson, Psycho-Social and Medical Research PSAMRA,
Derfflingerstrase 17, 10785 Berlin, Federal Republic of Germany.
tel.: +49 30 262 3768 e-mail: mjm@berlin.snafu.de
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Guest home page, updated March 1996: "Democracy in Action"
<http://www.gbar.dtu.dk/~itsjg/macpherson.html>
Home page building site re. integral studies:
<http://www.snafu.de/~mjm/>
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BRIEF LIST OF REPLIES, CORRESPONDENCE
Longer version may be found by scrolling or by clicking at the number.
"><1> From: gkfink@mail2.quiknet.com (George Fink, California) Date: Fri, 19
Apr 1996 12:14:02 -0700 Guten Tag! Herr Doctor Macpherson, I have just read
over your posting and am wondering what particular program(s) you would be
looking at in California? I would also like to
"><2> Dear George Fink, Thanks for your note and offer. Are you linked into
the World Wide Web? If so, you can find cyberlinks to at least two
California-based projects via my "guest home page", URL below. I just copied
the list of links and mark the Californian efforts so "*", below.
"><3> From: ph24@cornell.edu (Pat Haines) To: <PARTALK-L@cornell.edu> CPN
(Civic Practices Network) is a non-partisan project dedicated to enhancing
responsible citizenship in all of our institutions and to shaping public
policies ....
"><4> from: pipwat@real.com.au (PIP WATSON) to: mjm@berlin.snafu.de (michael
macpherson) I am a fourth years Political Science honours student at the
University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. I am currently writing a
thesis on the potential for computer networks and the internet to facilitate
....
"><5> To: Theodore L Becker <becketl@mail.auburn.edu> From:
mjm@berlin.snafu.de (michael macpherson) Dear Ted, you wrote: >In reading
your manifesto, I get the feeling you are still reluctant >about Teledem. Is
this so?
"><6> Date: Tue, 23 Apr 1996 00:19:01 -0400 (EDT) From: Vigdor Schreibman -
FINS <fins@access.digex.net> (THE CYBERSPACE SOCIETY) To: "Dr. Michael
Macpherson" <mjm@berlin.snafu.de> We have distributed your message to the
Cyberspace Society, Michael. Your grasp of what is required at this time is
quite consistent with our experience.
"><7> To: fins@access.digex.net (Vigdor Schreibman) 25th April 1996 From:
mjm@berlin.snafu.de (michael macpherson) Dear Vigdor, (....) How do we
achieve "economic prosperity" without the market system? Or, what is needed
in addition to the market system? What do you mean by "economic prosperity".
Is that the same as Bill Clinton means by "economic growth"?
"><8> Date: Thu, 25 Apr 1996 12:41:51 -0400 (EDT) From: Vigdor Schreibman -
FINS <fins@access.digex.net> (THE CYBERSPACE SOCIETY) (...) We are trying to
educate the group about the need for an independent lane on the
infrastructure, free from profit pressures, to support the social and
environmental aspects that the market system disregards.
"><9> To: Vigdor Schreibman - FINS <fins@access.digex.net> 28th April 1996
From: mjm@berlin.snafu.de (michael macpherson) Vigdor, a brief reply to a
couple of your points. (....) Firstly it seems necessary to find or build
appropriate theory (of "holisitic" sustainability as i think you mean it)
and then to spell out the implications - the options for aquiescence or ....
"><10> Date: Sun, 28 Apr 1996 16:26:40 -0400 (EDT) From: Vigdor Schreibman -
FINS <fins@access.digex.net> (THE CYBERSPACE SOCIETY) (...) The important
work of bringing about sustainability is not possible, in my view, within
the images of reality projected by the business propaganda system.
"><11> From: KUSFTB@vms2.uni-c.dk (Tom Bryder, Prof. Political Science,
Copenhagen) Date: Sat, 20 Apr 1996 07:04:42 +0100
Dear Michael; Thanks for you e-mail on more direct impacts of citizens on
politics. ....
"><12> From: KUSFTB@vms2.uni-c.dk (Tom Bryder, Prof. Political Science,
Copenhagen) Date: Wed, 24 Apr 1996 10:11:20 +0100 Hi Michael and thanks for
your e-mail. There is a recent book on the Danish debate by Palle Svensson
at the University of Århus, which has a summary in English. It is a doctoral
thesis of the old kind ....
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LONGER VERSIONS OF REPLIES, CORRESPONDENCE
"><1> X-Sender: gkfink@mail2.quiknet.com From: gkfink@mail2.quiknet.com
(George Fink) Date: Fri, 19 Apr 1996 12:14:02 -0700
Guten Tag!
Herr Doctor Macpherson,
I have just read over your posting and am wondering what particular
program(s) you would be looking at in California? I would also like to offer
myself for any assistance you may require in studying California's
democratic process. I am currently working on my Masters degree with an
emphasis in California State and Local Politics and your research sounds
interesting. Let me know if I can help you out.
Sincerely,
George Fink
P.S. - We could sure use some "Durchsetzung" in California!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
George K. Fink 916.448.0418
654 N Street gkfink@mail2.quiknet.com
Sacramento, CA 95814 georgef@smtp.doc.ca.gov
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The United States, California's biggest welfare recipient!
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"><2> To: gkfink@mail2.quiknet.com (George Fink) From: mjm@berlin.snafu.de
(michael macpherson) Subject: Re: Democracy
Dear George Fink,
Thanks for your note and offer.
Are you linked into the World Wide Web? If so, you can find cyberlinks to at
least two California-based projects via my "guest home page", URL below. I
just copied the list of links and mark the Californian efforts so "*",
below.
It might also be interesting for you to browse "Democracy in Action I and
II", also to be found on the guest home page.
I would be very interested to read your analysis of Calfornia's democratic
process.
E-DEMOCRACY WORLD WIDE WEB LINKS
Based on links referred to in Democracy in Action I and II. Additional links
by John Gotze.
Let me know if you need further information or help,
Sincerely, Michael Macpherson
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"><3> Date: Fri, 19 Apr 1996 09:44:02 -0400 (EDT) Sender:
owner-PARTALK-L@cornell.edu From: ph24@cornell.edu (Pat Haines) Subject: Re:
directer democracy X-Cc: sirianni@BINAH.CC.BRANDEIS.EDU (Carmen Sirianni),
hboyte@hhh.umn.edu (Harry Boyte)
Good topic for PAR exchange -
FYI: As of last month we all now have free access to a new on-line journal
from the 'new citizenship' movement in the US: Civic Practices Network
(CPN).
To quote from the announcement: "The Civic Practices Network is an online
journal that brings together innovators and educators across America to
share the tools, stories, and best practices of community empowerment and
civic renewal. CPN is a non-partisan project dedicated to enhancing
responsible citizenship in all of our institutions and to shaping public
policies that support active roles for citizens in everyday problem solving.
Our partners from leading civic, educational, and community organizations
around the country have come together in this task. We invite you to join us
in renewing our democracy to meet the challenges of the 21st century."
CPN email: cpn@tiac.net Web address: http://cpn.journalism.wisc.edu/cpn
EDITOR IN CHIEF: Professor Carmen Sirianni, Department of Sociology, Heller
School, Brandeis University ASSO. EDITORS: Michael McGrath, Director of
Press & Communications, National Civic League; Jill Muercke, Editor,
NONPROFIT WORLD, Society for Nonprofit Organizations ADVISORY BOARD includes
leaders from the Center for Democracy and Citizenship, Hubert Humphrey
Institute for Public Policy, University of Minnesota; National Civic League;
Walt Whitman Center; Center for Civic Networking; Pew Center for Civic
Journalism; Public Allies; Wisconsin Public Television; Northwestern
University; Kettering Foundation; Morino Institute; Common Enterprise;
Wisconsin Cooperative Extension; and Poynter Institute for Media Studies
CONTENTS: essays, reports from community and national projects,
bibliographies, and much more, all accessible to non-specialist and
non-academic readers.
GOAL: "to tell the stories of civic innovation, to share the practical
wisdom, and to exchange the most effective tools available." CPN affiliate
groups (no cost) "best practices" stories, case studies, training manuals,
evaluative tools, questions, and dilemmas met along the way.
CPN itself is intended as a * "common resource for practical civic
education,responsible community action, and democratic policy making." *
"collaborative endeavor" that makes work by all of us "more widely known and
utlized" "a resource that reflects the richest practical work occurring in
communities and workplaces all across America, a resource that is wsorthy of
our common commitment to educate ourselves - and our leaders - about
collaborative ways to solve problems, renew our civic culture, and
revitalize our democratic institutions."
DUPLICATION: Anything found in CPN online can be freely printed out,
photocopied, and used in whatever way deemed useful. Other resources
(videos, manuals, audio tapes, project evaluations) can be previewed online
and order from affiliate groups.
At Cornell University, graduate students in the Adult/Extension Education
Program are spearheading a community-wide program that draws on models from
the civil rights movement, expanded and reinvigorated with impetus from
Professor Harry Boyt, Founder and Director of the Center for Democracy and
Citizenship (Minnesota), and proposes to use the history of concepts of
'democracy' and 'citizenship' in the United States as a nonpartisan starting
point for bringing academic, public school, local government, business
leaders, and community groups, including arts and humanities groups,
together to explore what these concepts can and need to mean for the coming
century, in concrete, collaborative terms.
CPN is all it says it is - and is speeding our process immeasurably. We
would appreciate feedback from others, suggestions of other resources, and
information about your own local/regional efforts along these lines. This is
our common future. ******
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"><4> from: pipwat@real.com.au (PIP WATSON) to: mjm@berlin.snafu.de (michael
macpherson)
I am a fourth years Political Science honours student at the University of
New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. I am currently writing a thesis on the
potential for computer networks and the internet to facilitate participatory
dmeocracy, where traditional forms of communication and organisation have
failed. I am focusing primarily on the United States
To: pipwat@real.com.au (PIP WATSON) From: mjm@berlin.snafu.de (michael
macpherson) Dear Philippa,
Yes, the information you are asking for is still available. Best way to get
it, i think, is via my "guest home page" whose URL is the first one given
below my address.
You should find "Democracy in Action I and II" plus links to other related
projects.
By the way, did you see my recent posts to PPP and several other lists,
"Directer Democracy". It is an attempt to design a vehicle (tentatively
called a citizens' charter) to get information about the possibilites of
better democracy out to a broader public.
Your thesis idea seems great to me. Since i have been "broadcasting" in the
Internet on this theme - about a year - several students, from Germany, US
and elsewhere i think, have written to me asking for information.
Please let me know if you write a report.
Best wishes, Michael.
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"><5> To: Theodore L Becker <becketl@mail.auburn.edu> From:
mjm@berlin.snafu.de (michael macpherson) Subject: Re: TAN+N2 Replies
Dear Ted,
you wrote
>In reading your manifesto, I get the feeling you are still reluctant
>about Teledem. Is this so? Why isn't TAN+N2
><http://www.auburn.edu/~tann> linked in your site? I've
>looked several times, to no avail.
>How about an exchange between us?
Thanks for reading my charter-in-draft. (The word manifesto has other
connotations, as we know: i use it to refer to some of my bits of writing,
but only as a private joke!).
I would not say that i am reluctant about efforts to promote teledemocracy,
especially those forms which, as you promote, tend to empower people. In the
recent "directer democracy" post i endorsed a number of different
teledemocratic innovations into information and decision-making systems.
I think it is important to "get the word out" about what is possible in
democratic reform (electronic and otherwise) - there is much ignorance among
the educated public, let alone the rest. (I am no expert, but it took a lot
of hours on- and off-line to find out what i know.)
I think we have different perspectives because of our geographical
locations. In Germany, probably also Britain, there are far, far fewer
initiatives in teledemocracy. Even among academics, and i think that applies
more to Germany, there is woeful "Internet illiteracy", so one cannot expect
people to be easily "switched on" by hearing about - for them fantastic -
ideas about government via computer. And most have heard only vague rumours
or nothing.
It seems necessary to advance using a variety of approaches, partly
depending upon where you are. Charter88 in Britain, for example, is aiming
for a bill of rights (Britain has no constitution), C88 debates and
publishes critically on parliament, electoral system, monarchy, justice,
rights of minorities and women. Nothing electronic until now, as far as i
know, and very little about direct democracy (their key statements start
with a purely representative model of government). But i support what they
are doing, it's better than nothing. In my "directer democracy" statement
you may see that i proposed advances using both the tools which we (the
citizens in general) have now (e.g. livening up local government, claiming
one's rights to know what government is up to etc., self-help groups, more
effective lobbying) and tools which we might get if we struggle for them,
e.g. computer systems which allow well-informed voting in local and "larger
unit" parliaments.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The last time i looked my guest home page "Democracy in Action" did have a
clear link to TAN+N. *In a separate message* i'll try to make a guide to
help you find it.
Best wishes, Michael.
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"><6> Date: Tue, 23 Apr 1996 00:19:01 -0400 (EDT) From: Vigdor Schreibman -
FINS <fins@access.digex.net> X-Sender: fins@access2.digex.net Subject:
directer democracy (fwd)
We have distributed your message to the Cyberspace Society, Michael. Your
grasp of what is required at this time is quite consistent with our
experience. CS was established to support educating the citizens of
cyberspace about the design of an infrastructure for a democratic
sustainable future.
Browse Fins Information Age Library at the inforM system of the University
of Maryland.
HTTP://www.inform.umd.edu:8080/EdRes/Topic/CompResource/CompSoc/FINS/;
Check out these two directories:
Sustainable Development; The Cyberspace Society
We would like to establish a collaborative relation with your initiative.
Vigdor Schreibman - FINS <fins@access.digex.net>
---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Mon, 22 Apr 1996 19:38:50 EDT
From: "W. Curtiss Priest" <BMSLIB@MITVMA.MIT.EDU> Reply-To: THE CYBERSPACE
SOCIETY LIST <CYBER-SOC@readns1.readadp.com> To: Multiple recipients of list
CYBER-SOC <CYBER-SOC@readns1.readadp.com> Subject: directer democracy
fyi
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
Draft Appeal for comments of scientific or general nature:
TOWARDS A NEW CITIZENS' CHARTER: RIGHTS TO KNOW AND DECIDE (.......)
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"><7> To: fins@access.digex.net (Vigdor Schreibman) 25th April 1996 From:
mjm@berlin.snafu.de (michael macpherson)
Dear Vigdor,
thank you for forwarding "directer democracy" to the Cyberspace Society list
and for your interest in possible collaboration.
Well, i'm not sure how we might collaborate but at least i have looked at
some of the CS materials. I think your group is doing good work. Much of the
stuff looks pretty theoretical, which is necessary.
For now just one aspect which i picked out. Maybe you can find time to
reply, if not - it's pretty complicated and therefore may be too time
consuming - do not worry.
I quote: A global "sustainable development" infrastructure (GSDI) to assure
preservation and restoration of the integrity of natural systems which
sustain both economic prosperity and life itself, and to foster economic
growth, environmental protection, and social equity as interdependent,
mutually reinforcing national goals. (from: Intro. to Cyberspace Society)
The Bruntland report, i think, also calls for economic growth in order to
reach a sustainable global condition. As far as i knows the type of economic
growth is not specified. Bill Clinton says similar things, according to your
citation of him.
On the other hand i find:
Or--stated somewhat differently--the market system cannot sustain the needs
of a democratic society for economic prosperity, social equity, and
ecological integrity because markets disregard such public goods. Publicly
supported infrastructure is needed for a sustainable future. (from: CS
proposition 1)
How do we achieve "economic prosperity" without the market system? Or, what
is needed in addition to the market system? What do you mean by "economic
prosperity". Is that the same as Bill Clinton means by "economic growth"?
>We have distributed your message to the Cyberspace Society, Michael.
>Your grasp of what is required at this time is quite consistent with
>our experience. CS was established to support educating the citizens
>of cyberspace about the design of an infrastructure for a democratic
>sustainable future.
Sincerly, and thanks again, Michael.
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"><8> Date: Thu, 25 Apr 1996 12:41:51 -0400 (EDT) From: Vigdor Schreibman -
FINS <fins@access.digex.net> To: michael macpherson <mjm@berlin.snafu.de>
On Thu, 25 Apr 1996, michael macpherson wrote: ....
> Well, i'm not sure how we might collaborate but at least i have looked
> at some of the CS materials. I think your group is doing good work.
> Much of the stuff looks pretty theoretical, which is necessary.
We are trying to educate the group about the need for an independent lane on
the infrastructure, free from profit pressures, to support the social and
environmental aspects that the market system disregards. Articulation of the
infrastructure would follow this exercise, and provide a basis for
organizing the public around the needed design so as to secure its
construction.
I picked out of your materials the focus on aiding citizens in their ability
to participate. People are having great difficulty in finding the courage to
get involved. The ratio between participants and lurkers on lists is as much
as 100 to 1, or worse. One reason for this is the lack of "neutral"
facilitators but the substantive involvement of facilitators is often
unavoidable, as in our own case where I am doing the facilitation. Perhaps
you can suggest some exercises that would be helpful in just teaching people
to speak with each other on the important issues.
> For now just one aspect which i picked out. Maybe you can find time to
> reply, if not - it's pretty complicated and therefore may be too time
> consuming - do not worry.
> I quote:
> A global "sustainable development" infrastructure (GSDI) to assure
> preservation and restoration of the integrity of natural systems which
> sustain both economic prosperity and life itself, and to foster economic
> growth, environmental protection, and social equity as interdependent,
> mutually reinforcing national goals. (from: Intro. to Cyberspace Society)
> The Bruntland report, i think, also calls for economic growth in order to
> reach a sustainable global condition. As far as i knows the type of
> economic growth is not specified. Bill Clinton says similar things,
> according to your citation of him. > > On the other hand i find:
> Or--stated somewhat differently--the market system cannot sustain the
> needs of a democratic society for economic prosperity, social equity,
> and ecological integrity because markets disregard such public goods.
> Publicly supported infrastructure is needed for a sustainable future.
> (from: CS proposition 1)
> How do we achieve "economic prosperity" without the market system? Or,
what
> is needed in addition to the market system? What do you mean by "economic
> prosperity". Is that the same as Bill Clinton means by "economic growth"?
The primary focus that I would like to see is not on "economic growth" but
on individual and social development, which has unlimited potential that is
environmentally sustainable. I do not advocate elimination of the market
system only the addition of structures that support social equity and
ecological integrity, so that the people can better exercise their sovereign
powers to plan a more desirable future.
State-of-the-art management science (e.g., Ackoff, 1988; Senge, 1990)
confirms that such a holistic focus can be most productive. Moreover, I
should explain that whatever I or other citizens might desire for the future
is largely irrelevant without an information and communications
infrastructure that is free from profit presures, which are now governing.
Thus, the first step in liberating the global society, as I see things, is
to secure a public lane on the information infrastruture, of the nature
specifically described in the draft vision statement [Fins-SD-01]. When we
have obtained a way to communicate with each other creatively, beyond being
subjected to the business propaganda system, then "we" can begin to plan for
the future as a continuing creative exercise.
I hope this responds to your important question.
Vigdor Schreibman - FINS <fins@access.digex.net>
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"><9> To: Vigdor Schreibman - FINS <fins@access.digex.net> 28th April 1996
From: mjm@berlin.snafu.de (michael macpherson) Vigdor, a brief reply to a
couple of your points.
From our recent correspondence:
>> How do we achieve "economic prosperity" without the market system? Or,
what
>> is needed in addition to the market system? What do you mean by "economic
>> prosperity". Is that the same as Bill Clinton means by "economic growth"?
> > The primary focus that I would like to see is not on "economic growth"
>but on individual and social development, which has unlimited potential
>that is environmentally sustainable. I do not advocate elimination of the
>market system only the addition of structures that support social equity
>and ecological integrity, so that the people can better exercise their
>sovereign powers to plan a more desirable future.
I have given some thought to how proponents of aims mentioned by you above
might communicate better with the broader public (including government and
industry). Firstly it seems necessary to find or build appropriate theory
(of "holisitic" sustainability as i think you mean it) and then to spell out
the implications - the options for aquiescence or change (varying from
country to country, group to group), the risks and benefits of these; and
put all this to public debate. It seems that economists have been called
upon to provide this theory but i reckon they cannot do it alone. A useful
beginning dialog may be found in the review of an economists' book by a
member (a british physician colleague) of the Green party. I quote "a useful
analysis divides that sustainability spectrum into (1) the present
government's "cornucopian" position, (2) the conservationist position of
weak sustainability (3) the deep green or steady state economy of strong
sustainability, (4) the very strong sustainability of the deep ecologists
(A) (unquote). I would like to challenge the proponents of these various
positions to defend them by showing that their proposals have a good chance
of achieving their stated aims. What are your underlying theories? How would
your route of transformation look in practice? For example, regarding
industrial production and agriculture, is "small" always "beautiful", or is
centralisation sometimes ecologically better?
Vigdor, you also wrote: I picked out of your materials the focus on aiding
citizens in their
>ability to participate. People are having great difficulty in finding the
>courage to get involved. The ratio between participants and lurkers on
>lists is as much as 100 to 1, or worse. One reason for this is the lack
>of "neutral" facilitators but the substantive involvement of facilitators
>is often unavoidable, as in our own case where I am doing the
>facilitation. Perhaps you can suggest some exercises that would be
>helpful in just teaching people to speak with each other on the important
>issues.
Well, i guess the multipliers have to keep slogging on. Always looking to
refine their own ideas and approaches. But caring to avoid burnout. The new
social movements need to cooperate and find ways to build momentum, to avoid
old-established patterns of big active "waves" followed by long, quiet,
depressive troughs. Your work looks like an antidote, something promising
here. Further, I maintain that it's very important to show that people can
contribute something. (That's one good reason for trying to assist citizens'
participation in decision making). Also, to help get over feelings of
helplessnes and "no future", we need to provide well based arguments and
realistic proposals, e.g. for sustainable development (north and south) as
mentioned above.
(A) Richard LAWSON. Environment and development. (Review of: "Blueprint 3:
Ed. David Pearce. Measuring sustainable development. Earthscan, London,
1993.) Medicine and War, Vol. 10, 319-320 (1994)
Sincerely, Michael.
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"><10> Date: Sun, 28 Apr 1996 16:26:40 -0400 (EDT) From: Vigdor Schreibman -
FINS <fins@access.digex.net>
Michael, I will try to pull out the reference you mention from the Librry of
Congress. In the interim, one point I would like to add here. The important
work of bringing about sustainability is not possible, in my view, within
the images of reality projected by the business propaganda system. There are
a number of points to be made about this problem and a viable way to
overcome it.
I believe that the struggle involves different stage that should not be
mixed up, and thereby compounded. The first stage of the struggle must
necessarily involve the construction of an infra- structure that is not
subject to profit pressures. This is the opportunity that we now have before
us to design a viable infrstruct- ure. The next stage would involve more
direct and comprehensive collective inquiry and action with regard to the
goals of sustain- ability, supported by the new infrastructure.
If fear that if we attempt to cover both these stages at the outset we will
become lost in the very cultural conflicts that need to be overcome. In
short, our target for the moment should be on obtaining a viable
infrastructure. If we fail at this stage the larger mission is lost. If we
succeed in some modest way, the larger mission becomes more likely to be
realized.
I would be delighted to learn your ideas with regard to this limited initial
goal.
Vigdor
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"><11>From: KUSFTB@vms2.uni-c.dk (Tom Bryder, Prof. Political Science,
Copenhagen) Date: Sat, 20 Apr 1996 07:04:42 +0100
Dear Michael; Thanks for you e-mail on more direct impacts of citizens on
politics. One thing I think would be important is to strengthen the elec-
torate's power over nominations. There is one way this can be done, namely
by introducing the method of Single Transferable Vote systems. There is a
lengthy explanation of this in the Blackwell Encyclopedia of Political
Science. It was invented more than hundred years ago, and was advocated by
John Stuart Mill, but it is only used in the Irish Republic.
Just some hints... Are you going to the ISPP meeting in Vancouver? Best
regards -Tom Bryder, Copenhagen
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"><12> From: KUSFTB@vms2.uni-c.dk (Tom Bryder, Prof. Political Science,
Copenhagen) Date: Wed, 24 Apr 1996 10:11:20 +0100 Subject: Re: Tanzania
elections etc. To: mjm@berlin.snafu.de
Hi Michael and thanks for your e-mail. There is a recent book on the Danish
debate by Palle Svensson at the University of Århus, which has a summary in
English. It is a doctoral thesis of the old kind (some 20 years of work!)
but it is well written. I don't have his e-mail address, but the snail-mail
address is: Palle Svensson, Institut for Statskundskab, Århus Universitet,
DK-8000 Århus, Dänemark. As for direct democracy, there is the book by Peter
Bachrach and Aryeh Botwinick called Power and Empowerment. A Radical Theory
of Participatory Democracy. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1992. You
probably know it, and it has a lot of good points about the "watch-word"
"empowerment".
Anyway, it was good to hear from you. Best regards --Tom Bryder
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