[net.news.group] participative democracy

jad@harpo.UUCP (jad) (06/04/84)

       It is extremely important to the welfare of the world that a partici-

    pative type of democratic decision-making become well practiced, refined
    
    and popularized. 

       Suppose a cardinal issue of world-wide concern, the nuclear threat,

    were examined through a forum open to all people of all nations. In this

    forum, all varying ideas for dealing with this issue would be welcome.

    Then, after a general agreement to terminate the exchange of ideas, 

    successive run-off votes would be taken until the numerous proposals

    were finally reduced to one. With the endorsement of everyone involved,

    that proposition would constitute a forceful appeal to world leaders.

       Such a movement, of itself, might engender other movements to deal

    with the nuclear threat. Moreover, it would be an experiment in direct

    democracy.          


                                        John DiNardo
    

piet@mcvax.UUCP (Piet Beertema) (06/06/84)

<..>
The numerous proposals of all countries reduced to one?

There's only one place where that can happen: Utopia!
-- 
	Piet Beertema, CWI, Amsterdam
	...{decvax,philabs}!mcvax!piet