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A SOLUTION.
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In a healthy political future, “voting” will require greater personal involvement.
In a Direct Democracy, after the age of information, we will vote for specific plans and not general men.
The question remains; “How can we maintain constitiunal governance yet keep it free from undue influence?” This essay is an offering to this most crucial discussion.
Please be encouraged to take any action in connection with this idea.
There is nothing more difficult to plan, more doubtful of success, nor more dangerous to manage than the creation of a new system. For the initiator has the enmity of all who would profit by the preservation of the old system and merely lukewarm defenders in those who would gain by the new one. – Machiavelli – 1513
Our democratic systems need a little revitalisation.
In the 21st century, there are too many variables & conflicting interests behind every civic decision, too much information to grapple with, and the deluge has barely begun. Our current system needs adjusting. Susceptibility to undue influence invites unhealthy policy. Only more individual and group participation in our communities will dispel the effect of special interest groups.
In too many ways, our government is failing, and that is affecting other systems. Special interests are destroying some sectors of our society. And so, the change is upon us again.
The complexity and power of modern society require our Democracy to have a greater and transparent information flow, for the ongoing improvement of our communities.
The evolution of governance started with tribes but as communities got bigger and more organized, tribes became kingdoms. Democracy began its infancy when kingdoms gave way to parliamentary politics. Now the current form of party government is not working the way it once did.
The Internet offers a new set of boundaries, affiliations and opportunities for original civic institutions. With this new capacity for organization across boundaries it is no longer necessary, nor practical to allow individuals to gain control of public resources. Too much power is funneled through too few hands, making the corruption of policy debate almost unavoidable.
With the advent of mass information technology, it makes more sense to focus on the merits of each possible solution to each specific problem. And in this way we can bypass the political intermediaries. It is time for plans and projects rather than men and parties to compete in the Democratic arena.
Community stability in the 21st century requires rational and pragmatic civic participation, to provide the citizens with more control over the forces that affect our daily lives.
In some ways, the media has failed the needs of Democracy. Infotainment broadcasts like 60 Minutes, 20/20, Oprah, Sally, The 6/11:00 News, Talk Radio etc. consistently attract the largest audience. People want to know what is happening in town and around the world.
Unfortunately, those kinds of programs all have the format of shocking us with the dangerous situations and practices in our midst and then abandoning us to our fears. They get us ready for action and leave us at the door. They introduce the characters, set the stage, and end the show. People are left feeling powerless.
This collaboration is about civic problems, the solutions and the actions in between. The premise is that Real Democracy happens when citizens get involved in educated and responsible civic activity. This is to be done by connecting quality information to specific, constructive, local activity.
We propose a localized public service involving broadcast media, interested citizens, and online public forums about the implementation of civic policy. The following is a plan for organizing and implementing pragmatic, community action.
This dynamically interactive web service creates a new avenue for popular political expression. The aim is to encourage individuals to actively participate in "Democracy", the rule of the people. Our format is scalable, based online and divided into 5 varying levels of potential civic activity.
It begins with what could be called "Reference links" (a referral to an URL) inserted into the issues and stories of already existing media outlets, such as print, radio, TV and web productions. A link will point the audience to more personal involvement with the issue at hand.
It is through these "links" that one is invited to become active in any issue through a cyber syndicated information and action service called; "A Solution."
In this way the traditional media institutions and their news or reality shows can be a springboard for pragmatic thought and action on specific local problems.
The purpose of these links is to draw people into learning about and acting upon those issues that interest them. There are too many issues requiring too much background for any individual, politician or voter to make all the informed decisions that are required for a livable society.
A Solution is an organic process. An individual can work with only the issues they have an affinity with, maybe two or three, and yet almost all issues will be covered in proportion to the passions generated by the problem.
Our premise is that The People make their statement best by voting with their feet and wallet. If citizens are given the ways and means to affect the community dynamic, they will, en mass implement our common good. Through this public service we intend to facilitate and encourage citizens to take active responsibility for their own communities.
The Structure of our Presentation.
Level # 1. As stated above, each news report or story or program, will have links for the citizen to follow online. At the linked web address, they can find a short overview of the history, relevant facts and context of the issue at hand.
If there is a story on NPR about a problem under the topic of education, a teacher strike in Baltimore for instance, the suggested URL will lead to a presentation of the history and development of education with sub topics like methods, teachers movements and practices in America & beyond.
Different reports about the Baltimore strike or the new S.A.T. exam from many outlets (KFJC, CNN, The Advertiser, The Chronicle…) can point to the same education topic site and its subcategories.
Part 1b. Ultimately, at the end of each category we will contact the politicians and quote them on their plans, if any, regarding that specific situation.
The "Official Plan" for the specific problems associated with that topic can be a starting point or basis for the Educated debates about Solutions and improvements on Level 2.
Level # 2. In this section we find a multitude of "Chat Rooms", one for each topic, where only relevant & qualified researchers in the field are allowed to participate. (This level is presented in Non-real-time
text, audio or 3D Avatars). Deft moderation will demand that the discussion be about effective solutions to specific problems, and the refinement of those solutions.
To qualify, the participants must have academic or real world experience with the subject, or be directly involved in a way that gives the applicant an above average understanding of the situation. In our example, we would have an ongoing discussion amongst people such as Baltimore teachers or an expert of salary negotiations or a state education budget representative. Through an open selection process, we can attempt to be as fair and inclusive as possible.
The insistent goal of this debate will be for the participants to suggest a variety of specific and pragmatic solutions to specific problems. It is also very important that this entire process be entertaining (Celebrity moderators?) so that many citizens are encouraged to fully participate.
When a person feels they agree strongly enough with a specific course of action, they can then take the next step/level; Recommendations for responsible action.
Level # 3. This level is designed to cajole people out of their easy chair and invite them to participate in a Living Democracy. What can an individual citizen actually do to effect change? Based on the more coherent "Solutions" presented in level 2, a variety of personal actions will be recommended.
A few examples of topic-specific suggestions might be; promising to talk to three people at work about the issue, downloading the debate and sending it to your representative; sending money or resources to an organization or location; volunteering your time to a local project or starting one, running for political office, etc. etc.
Level # 4. Within each topic area there is a chat room where anyone that's interested can join discussion groups about the problems and solutions at hand. All of us non-experts can offer new solutions and perspectives from the outside. These general discussions will be continually referencing, sighting and quoting the other levels, activating them and allowing the percolation of new ideas to be assessed.
Level #5. This site will be tracking the Results of relevant reform projects in the real world. With many different standards, surveys, statistical methods, eyewitness reports, recordings, energy efficiency studies, citizen consensus, soil analysis etc., we can show progress or improvement in the community as defined by its members.
Level 5 plays an essential and central role in this project. Levels 2, 3, & 4 will be using the results and "deliverables" in level 5 to underpin any statements, plans and proposals.
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This project provides a system and format for rational discussion and pragmatic action on issues of civic importance.
The aim is the dispersal of information and political power by initiating community education, organization and action.
"A Solution" is a comprehensive and pragmatic extension of public education in pursuit of a rational society.
This project is intended to enhance the beginnings of an education based, direct democracy, in the age of information.
© Copyright 1996,
WEBZ Technologies
and A SOLUTION.
Created: 5/28/96, Last revised: 10/31/104 8:50 pm
All rights reserved