Direct Democracy Forum

Direct Democracy Forum

A Vision of a 21st Century Democracy

by
Ian Green

To all men and women who want a better life, both in Australia, and throughout the world. We have an opportunity in these final years of the twentieth century, to bring about a form of government that has eluded humanity for millenia: Democracy.

For the greater part of human history, we, the people have been ruled by men and women skilled in the art of influencing a small number of people. The people who have the power to control the masses of the people (either through their money or through violence).

Democracy. The ancient Greeks of Athens had something close to it. All citizens directly were members of the parliament or council of Athens. Unfortunately, the great majority of people in Athens were not eligible for citizenship because of their status as poor slaves.

Power brokers over the centuries have abhored democracy as a stumbling block to good (effective) government. For this reason, when the United States of America was constituted, the delegates to the Constitutional Convention chose to institute a republic RATHER than a democracy.

Yet, today's constitutional monarchies and republics are commonly thought of as democratic because the majority of the people periodically are entitled to vote to determine those who will be members of the government. Despite this, a big share of the actions and decisions of the government and its members are opposed by a majority of the people, and the government uses its power to the detriment and harm of the economic (work and finance), social and moral well-being of the people. Something that no sane, well-meaning person really wants.

Recent technological developments now enable us to solve the obstacles to the workings of a true democracy.

It will soon be cheaper to have all citizens directly taking part in democratic debate and law making than it now costs for elected representatives' salaries, allowances, lifetime fringe benefits and superannuation in the three levels of government we have in Australia and the United States of America.

The nineteen eighties brought an information revolution through personal computers and in this decade hundred-fold increases in computing power are being combined with new communications technology. What this means to us is that you will be able to (either on your own computer, on a friend's computer, or on a public access computer in a library for example) read and consider any Bill (proposed law), any arguments for and against the Bill (in full and at your leisure), contribute your arguments for others to consider and to vote for or against the Bill when you have made up your mind.

Bills (proposed laws) would be allowed a certain amount of time by the constitution (a set of laws on how government is to operate) that would limit how long a Bill can be before the people. If the Bill gains both a majority of votes and meets or exceeds a minimum participation rate (also to be set in the constitution) then the Bill becomes law. If the time for the Bill expires and it has not gained the necessary support, that is, either not enough people have been interested enough to vote on it, or it has only a minority of votes, then the Bill is thrown out.

No more hidden agendas and unpublicised debates with laws effectually decided by a few people behind locked doors. You have an electoral roll number your computer password linked to the system will ensure that your vote is only registered when you're ready and have read the for and against arguments relating to the Bill.

Most of us are concerned for the rights of ourselves and others, whether in a majority or in a minority. An important part of a constitution is the limitations to the powers of government, that is, the protection of individual people from anything that a government may either do or allow to be done, by passing laws, by executive action or action by its departments or agents etcetera. These rights and limitations may be phrased as the granting of powers to the government, thereby excluding anything not specifically mentioned, or as limitations placed on the sovereign power of government. Such rights, limitations or powers must be debated by the people and placed in a constitution. So many millions of people in this century alone, have suffered and died at the hand of governments.

If you're like most of us, you probably don't like politicians. Please help make politicians obsolete by completing and sending in the application on the next page.