Democracy and Direct Democracy

[Joseph Hammer <parrhesiajoe(at)gmail.com>]

It is good to define terms precisely, and I believe it is required for an intelligent debate on a topic. I have seen a lot of time spent on the definition of “Direct Democracy” and it gives me pause.

While direct popular consent is the manner of law formation that I would personally elect, that is only half of the term… DIRECT. The other half is the choice… the democracy portion.

The power of democracy is in the idea that the form of government that gains the support of the greatest proportion of a society will be the best form of government for that society. In other words, a form of government that is supported by 80% of the people will be more prosperous than one that is supported by 60% of the people.

Democracy is the key here… not direct democracy or representative democracy or socialist democracy. If the people choose it, it will be the best government for them. If you do not believe this, then you are using the word, “Democracy” to claim that if the people like your system better, it is somehow worthy of the word. It is NOT.

Designing a true democracy requires that these decisions be made by those subject to the jurisdiction of the new government… the people themselves.

Democracy… choice… must be the centerpiece of any new government that we hope to form. If we do not let the people CHOOSE whether they prefer representation, partial representation, random representation or NO representation, then we are not being true to our principals… if we claim democracy to be among them.

Like our descendants, we are blinded by our vanity in thinking that we can design a government as a whole and demand a vote on this imperfect beast. The ideal democracy must be designed by the people… not voted on as a single entity, but elected, piece by piece, according to the preferences of the individuals.

Our current legal system shows that big sets of rules that get passed as one unit are polluted with a myriad of riders designed to gain the support of special interests. A constitution is no different. If it is designed as one big chunk, we will have to make “compromises” to enlist the support of certain groups, and it will taint our new government.

If we define direct democracy as having no representatives, then we have a solid new term to use in our debate. This is great, but if we are championing the form of government as the “best” without consulting the people who must be subject to it, then the term democracy is not appropriate to it.

To be a direct DEMOCRACY, it must be both DIRECT and CHOSEN by the people.

The best use of all the research that is being done here is to inform the public when they decide for themselves what course they wish to pursue. No one can predict what that will be, and the assumption that the best government can be guessed is pure hubris.

I have gotten a lot more positive response from, “Would you like to choose for yourself?” than “Would you like to switch to [Insert form of government here]?”

Democracy must be the goal. It has never been tried. Not really.

Think BIG,

Parrhesia

PS… something to think on.

                Welcome to Democracy

                                In each step, you will be choosing what role you wish government to play in your everyday life. Vote according to your preferences. In each step, there will be content and guidance provided by the organizations you have selected.

                                You have selected: WDDM and The Mises Instituteas your scholars. (Choose more here if you wish)

                                If these organizations provide video, text or other media for each decision, they will be made available at the appropriate times. You will also see the recommended choices of these scholars next to the options themselves.

                                Would you support

                                                (choose all that apply)

                                                X _ _ Anarchy, the complete absence of a compelling body of government.

                                                XX X A system of government.

                                               

                               

                                You chose a system of government. In proceeding, you may elect to make each decision

                                How

                                                XX X Cooperate to design a democratic government from the ground up according to the preferences of society.

                                                _ _ _ A new government designed by random representatives

                                                _ _ _ The current government, in its existing form

                                                _ _ _The current government, with some changes.

(This will preset all of the choices to the values currently

established by our government, which you can change)

                                Would you support

(choose all that apply)

                                                    Completely Representative Government

                                                XX X Non-representative government

                                                XX X Mixed government

                                               

                                For representation, do you prefer your representatives to

(choose all that apply)

                                                _ _ X Pass binding laws (on areas you select)

                                                _ _ X Make non-binding suggestions (on areas you select)

                                                X _ X A Mix of the two

                                You said you would supported a government with mixed representation. What areas and what powers would you assign

                                                None  Suggestion   (NSB)

                                                NN N       Military

                                                NNS N     Banking

                                                NSBNS S Trade

                                                …

Etcetera… you get the idea. From the decisions of the governed emerges real democracy… as socialist or free as the people wish. Do not attach freedom to democracy… do not attach capitalism or socialism or any other ism to it… make it the pure _expression_ of the public will and it will be beautiful.

Beautiful. Accept no less.