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If each of us is contained within the other, then perhaps a basic egalitarianism and democracy are appropriate ways of working together. But what if representative democracy actually ends up separating us from each other as we depend upon elected representatives to do work that we could, and perhaps should, do for ourselves, such as setting basic goals and values through participatory democracy? The internet makes this possible as is clear from many existing sites, blogs and chat groups devoted to the issue. Much of this work is still in early, exploratory phases but it does seem as though many levels of currently representative democratic institutions at many levels of governing, from school boards to county commissioners to state, national and world legislative bodies could be modified to accept input from those affected by the decision-making of such groups. This could be more than just public opinion polls. Surely intellectual deliberation is a basic component of any democracy and so why can't those people directly affected by such groups, meaning their constituents, meet online to discuss, deliberate, debate and, finally, vote on courses of action rather than needing elected officials? Take back democracy! Bring it to the people via the Internet. Let every household have the equipment and the access needed to make decisions that affect it. Let's take the New England Town Meeting to every level of government. Elected officials and professional bureaucrats will still be needed to implement the people's will, but let's not let politicians take away our right, and our power, not only to be heard but to count as well.
The following links are to just some of the organizations and sites
working on these issues: |