Re: [WDDM] Regarding rule by representatives

["Jiri Polak" <jiri.polak(at)swipnet.se>]

Dear all!

Although we use the term "direct semocracy", I believe that there is consensus among most of us that, for practical reasons, it is not possible to decide every single issue by direct individual vote. As I see it, such vote should be only used for the establishment of general lines and for the election of representatives. For matters of routine, the representatives should be allowed to make decisions themselves, but within the framework of the general lines. To be exact, we should speak about "semi-direct" democracy. This is also the standpoint of Senator Gravel.

With my best regards                   Jiri Polak

----- Original Message -----

From: Vijayaraghavan Padmanabhan

To: wddm@world-wide-democracy.net

Sent: Sunday, May 20, 2007 2:21 PM

Subject: [WDDM] Regarding rule by representatives

Dear All,
Continuing from my previous letter, an important matter to be decided before we formulate a mission statement is to decide whether by aiming at Direct Democracy, we are doing away with the concept of 'rule by representatives'. This particular view is held by some advocates of DD. While this may be the ideal theoretical goal, it may be nearly impossible in practice. We need to put our trust into somebody to take care of our concerns. This is the natural order of things in life. What we need is to have a mechanism where our representatives are directly accountable to the people and can be recalled at any time if sufficient people feel so. I request that members express their views regarding this since this is important to formulate a workable mission statement.

PVR