Home Forums Political System for Real Democracy All things Direct Democracy and not

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      George Rodafinos
      Keymaster

      `Direct Democracy is the system of governance where all power belongs to the people. The people form decisions and make legislation. Representatives function as task managers and not as permanent professional leaders / rulers. Current systems calling themselves ‘Democracies’ or ‘Republics’ are styling as ‘Representative Democracies’, but it can be argued that they are actually Oligarchies, Dictatorships, Corporatocracies, Theocracies, and in a lot of ways, Tyrannies. I would argue that the term ‘Constitutional Monarchy’ is the only one true to its meaning.

      In the original, true Democracy of classical Athens,
      Polis (Πόλις)= City
      Politis = Citizen
      Polites (plural) governed. There were no ‘politicians’

      «…απάντων γαρ αυτός αυτόν πεποίηκεν o δήμος κύριον”

      ” the People made themselves the rulers of all” Aristotle

      Where is Direct Democracy?

      There is no current implementation of Direct Democracy on a national level.
      Classical Athens was a city/State. DD lasted for less than a century there, and had to constantly defend itself from Aristocrats (wealthy, nostalgic of the old tyranny citizens, including Plato and Socrates) and enemies (Spartans, Persians).
      There are, however, many small-scale implementations among intentional communities, Green Parties of some countries, some other groups, while some cities of the world appear to be heading that way.

      Referenda

      Not. Although they can be powerful agents of change at times, the fact that they happen in an hierarchical system where leaders are not there to represent the people but powerful interests, limits the potential of referenda.

      They are the main part of what we call Participatory Democracy in Countries and States that implement them.

      Generally, the oligarchy of corruption and oppression has a big number of tools to counter the benefit that people decide to bring, from the before, to even after a referendum has been voted into legislation.

      Activism

      Not. Rallies, strikes, boycotts, denial of service, non-violent defiance ea., are not Direct Democracy either. They are tools to demand change. In Direct Democracy, change happens without struggle against the machine.

      Workplace

      Not. Democracy in the workplace while maintaining the hierarchical structure and huge pay gaps is not Direct Democracy either.

      The term Open-Source workplace, would mean that there is no authoritative hierarchy and that all information, resources and decision making belong to workers and managers alike.

      That could be a Direct Democracy if it’s a coop or collective and use direct democracy to collectively govern.

      Prepers and militia

      Not. Pilling up guns in one’s home and preparing for war is not Direct Democracy or any form of democracy.

      Direct Democracy does not have to wait for radical political change to happen.
      The Direct Democracy Platform IS Direct Democracy from its beginning and by design. Its strength and power for change grows organically and geometrically with the rise of numbers of citizens joining.

      When it takes over, the country is a Direct Democracy.

      Epicuros is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

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