From: Jiri Polak <jiri.polak(at)swipnet.se>
To: wddm@world-wide-democracy.net
Cc: milus.kotisova(at)volny.cz
Sent: Sun, 8 August, 2010 17:54:36
Subject: Re: [WDDM] Constructive pragmatism
Yes, by definition, political parties are the opposite of democracy. An interesting approach has recently emerged in Czech Republic. The authors offer politicians to make a pledge to vote according to voters´ instructions. Each voter, registered in the system, can send instructions concerning three issues to his/her MP who pledges to vote accordingly. The role of the MPs is thus radically changed. As one might expect, all parliamentary parties have rejected this proposal. But the fight for democracy goes
on.
Sincerely, Jiri Polak
----- Original Message ----- From:
Fred GohlkeTo: <wddm@world-wide-democracy.net>
Sent: Sunday, August 08, 2010 6:35 PM
Subject: Re: [WDDM] Constructive pragmatism
> At the risk of beating a dead horse, I wonder if anyone would consider the notion that a political system based on voting is anti-democratic?
>
> To vote is, by definition, to make a choice regarding an issue or person proposed by others (whoever they may be).
>
> What --- in that concept --- gives voters an opportunity to advocate their own view?
>
> Anyone who read Robert Michels' 1915 book,
Political Parties: A Sociological Study of the Oligarchical Tendencies of Modern Democracy, must see that partisan systems subject us to the Iron Law of Oligarchy. The voters have no choices but those offered by their 'leaders'.
>
>
http://socserv.mcmaster.ca/econ/ugcm/3ll3/michels/polipart.pdf>
> Contemporary politic systems are campaign and partisan based and define the issues and individuals upon whom the public is permitted to vote. Partisan systems disenfranchise the majority of the electorate. They provide no way to aggregate the attitudes and wishes of the majority of the body politic --- the non-partisans.
>
> Roy Daine, before his untimely death two years ago, and I offered a practical alternative to partisan systems; an electoral process that let everyone in the electorate participate in the electoral process
to the full extent of his or her desire and ability. I can publish the details again, but, except for Vijayaraghavan Padmanabhan, there doesn't seem to be many WDDM members interested in the concept.
>
> Fred Gohlke