Pete
25th March 2003, 22:47
During the cold war there was a war between to sets of ideals. One was the Soviet form of control, with the Politoburo. The other was the British style(1) Representative Democracy which all first world countries bear semblance to. After the fall of the CCCP adn the nations formerly under the Soviet Bloc set up republics and federations using the Parliment model.
That is where the problem with modern democracy arises. No long is 'the threat of the Soviets' and excuse for limiting freedoms and governments consolidating power. The people have heard the ideological banter of the 'free world' and the 'iron curtain' for 50 years, and now they want the promises to materialize. But the representive system willnot, cannot, deliver the promises that it has made by discrediting the Soviets.
Today, at the dawn of the 21st Century, the gathering of powers and denial of freedoms is most evident in America. That Patriot Act, for security we are assured, denies the fundamental rights of many Americans. A question is asked from the throng: Are the rights not inherent and inalienable like the constitution and declaration of independance so vocally states? The Representives shout back a resounding "No" and ignore the demands of the plebiscite.
The corruption of representive democracy has become increasing evident. Other reasons to change to a direct democracy approach are also about. People are now schooled and, in some nations, relatively equal in economic stature. They know what is best for them, and do not need someone in suit to dictate what is best to them. Aswell, now that the leaders cannot say "Hey you are better off then those poor buggers" the people are asking for more freedoms. And one of these is the freedom to override elected officials.
Democracy is peoples rule. What a better way to exercise this then by allowing Intiatives, Binding Plebiscites, and Recalls? As the question echoes through the minds of the powerful, no answer is found. Representative democracy, and the party politics that is born, is innately corruptable. The representatives do not have to be accountable to their constituents until the last few months of there term, in order to secure reelection. In America there is no way to call a president down until his 4 years are up. How does this suit the needs of the people? It doesnt.
A government controlled by the people may make politicans mad, no one wants to give up power, but it will improve all of the currently 'democratic nations.' The only answer to the failing representative system is direct democracy.
(1) The American System is based on the British one.
That is where the problem with modern democracy arises. No long is 'the threat of the Soviets' and excuse for limiting freedoms and governments consolidating power. The people have heard the ideological banter of the 'free world' and the 'iron curtain' for 50 years, and now they want the promises to materialize. But the representive system willnot, cannot, deliver the promises that it has made by discrediting the Soviets.
Today, at the dawn of the 21st Century, the gathering of powers and denial of freedoms is most evident in America. That Patriot Act, for security we are assured, denies the fundamental rights of many Americans. A question is asked from the throng: Are the rights not inherent and inalienable like the constitution and declaration of independance so vocally states? The Representives shout back a resounding "No" and ignore the demands of the plebiscite.
The corruption of representive democracy has become increasing evident. Other reasons to change to a direct democracy approach are also about. People are now schooled and, in some nations, relatively equal in economic stature. They know what is best for them, and do not need someone in suit to dictate what is best to them. Aswell, now that the leaders cannot say "Hey you are better off then those poor buggers" the people are asking for more freedoms. And one of these is the freedom to override elected officials.
Democracy is peoples rule. What a better way to exercise this then by allowing Intiatives, Binding Plebiscites, and Recalls? As the question echoes through the minds of the powerful, no answer is found. Representative democracy, and the party politics that is born, is innately corruptable. The representatives do not have to be accountable to their constituents until the last few months of there term, in order to secure reelection. In America there is no way to call a president down until his 4 years are up. How does this suit the needs of the people? It doesnt.
A government controlled by the people may make politicans mad, no one wants to give up power, but it will improve all of the currently 'democratic nations.' The only answer to the failing representative system is direct democracy.
(1) The American System is based on the British one.