[Member] New Member of IntDPD! Direct Democracy (UK)

Welcome to the new member of IntDPD !

Direct Democracy
www.PAparty.co.uk

[Concepts] Consensual Democracy

Let us not be fooled: it is not because we vote - every four years or every five - we live in a democracy. In fact, this perception is to generalize and explain the high (and increasing) levels of abstention that today are recorded in almost all over the globe.
The vote is not democracy at all ... especially when it is so conditioned in time, impact and effectiveness as in the current model of representative democracy. But a model of participatory democracy voting is really the basis of democracy: frequent, influential and informed. Building on that consensus-building - says the "conventional wisdom" - are utopian or impossible to achieve in large groups. But not just that: Consensual Democracy (one of the aspects of Participatory Democracy) is possible, provided that certain methods and procedures followed. One such method is to present the subject to a vote and soon after, requires an indicative vote, even before the moment of debate in order to identify how many people line up for and against. From here it is possible to target the meeting and discuss these two groups from two positions and not a multitude of individual positions, as typically occurs in a debate. The two groups choose among themselves a representative who can hit after another with a common position between both consensual and that after the final vote is taken.
On the issue of decision-making in meetings of participatory democracy is particularly interesting to follow the example of the Occupy movement in the U.S.: in this group, the methods are implemented Consensual Democracy from proposals that are outlined by individual groups of activists Occupy and then agreed Higher counties where these local groups are federated. From this level of decision option shall be followed throughout the movement.
It should be borne in mind that we are all conditioned to believe that these methods are "utopian" and "unrealistic". That's right we were papagueado to exhaustion by very organized and well-funded agents partidocracia and tell us that all forms of Direct Democracy is slow, inefficient and chaotic. But these examples prove that the system works and nothing prevents be adopted on a larger scale and in greater depth.

Source:http://tradeonion.wordpress.com/tag/direct-democracy/

[Tools] Voteit.com

The VoteIt is a U.S. startup based in New Orleans who want to create ways to assist citizen groups to use tools vote in real time. So far, nothing new... There are many tools and websites that offer the same service for free or paid. But VoteIt promises more. Promises that companies, associations and simple citizen groups or communities can improve their decision making process enriching their votes with interaction and feedback with comment threads, polls at the time of collection, integration with email and complex approval workflows. The system incorporates VoteIt rewards transparency and allowing there a way to record the progress and completion of voting.

The system allows VoteIt simplify the decision process by meeting in person, mail or video conferencing, enabling decision making without the costs associated with travel or face the confusion that often arises from the exchange of cross dozens of emails on a given subject.

The system is currently being used internally by the Swedish Green Party with very positive results.

source:
https://www.voteit.com/

Comentary to an interview to Joam Evans Prim (Partido da Terra - Galiza)

Joam Evans Prim

"Left or right?The two form part of the design of parliamentary politics. In view of the general meeting direct democracy are the people we deliberate and decide on each particular issue. The vital experience or ideas baggage each person can make certain postures we choose and not by others, but the rigidity and orthodoxy partitocracy own lack of sense in the context of the assembly, because it is not prescriptive in relation to the vast majority problems which may arise, for example, a county or parochial open neighborhood, where the long term, is most suitable logic seeking maximum consensus. "- We have no doubt also that the classical Left-Right dichotomy is exhausted. And exhausted by the sheer inability of when in power, to assert themselves the real difference between both trends and the crystallization in "extreme ungovernable" more radical wing of that party Manichaeism. Like Joam, we do not believe that the renewal of democracy can be achieved by the rise to power of a new party (Left or Right), but by developing mechanisms of direct and participatory democracy, able to return to the world citizens and civic and political effectiveness of governance. The crisis of democracy in Europe is indeed a crisis of representative democracy and partidocracia who hijacked the system. And its resolution can only pass through the promotion of civic life, the greater participation of citizens in political life and the rapprochement between the elected and the electorate.
(...)But a party is the right tool?With only abstention, even if it is active, we can not (yet) to delegitimize political professional. Delegitimize "politics" and "political" professionals is an essential strategy for the recovery of our state sovereignty and people policies. The PT assumes that strategy of delegitimization as a constant, a "guerrilla politics" (non-violent, of course) so if you want to see. The creation of autonomous zones with aspiration residence where the cracks of the system permit, such as parish or neighborhood assemblies with maximum possible sovereignty, is not utopian. There will is something that can be done in any city, and desprofissionalizando "destating" in fact these structures. I think that the desire of the people who are in the PT is that it can be dissolved as soon as possible because there is no place for parties in direct democracy and we all certainly other passions in life. "- A form of "political party" is in fact one that - in light of the current legal framework - allows better leverage the social and political intervention of a group of citizens. The forms of "association" and "informal movement" have their virtues, but given their legal limitations make it difficult for its ability to intervene and make a real difference. The term, however, and a foundational moment of elaboration of thoughts and principles, national deployment and experimentation of participatory democracy mechanisms and internal organizational construction, these intermediate forms may be the most appropriate. And that was - for now - the option of + D. The Galician Party Earth is already another level and their experimentation with popular assemblies or parish are closely followed in Portugal.

Fonte:
http://www.partidodaterra.net/peteiras/joam-evans/

[USA] Jon Jones, a Direct Democracy Candidate in Atlanta

Since mid-February which is officially open for registration of candidates for the districts of the "City Council" of Atlanta. As in other years, no lack of candidates "system", but this time there umaa novelty: Jon Jones, a young african american 26 year promises to enter the capital of the U.S. state of Georgia a new style of government: Direct Democracy.
Jon Jones is an unknown figure in politics, with a career in finance and no apparent social relevance before he started this municipal project, which earned him a great attention from local media because of the originality of their proposals and cybernetic form as guides and leads his campaign. This public record is very discreet indeed emphasized in his campaign Web site, where Jon Jones takes his status as "anonymous citizen" stressing that the discrediting of the current political system follows much of this obsession in looking for a "savior indeed" capable of - miraculously - cure all ills. And it is precisely because it is an "anonymous" that your application today is growing, especially among young people, tired and disillusioned with the "custom options".
The originality of the proposed Jon Jones comes to what Atlanta offers its voters, proposes to build a network of websites, SMS servers, telephone lines and mobile applications to allow residents in his district will actively participate in the legislative process and decision-making your city. If elected, Jones put on a website to have to make that decision and order vote "yes" or "no" to residents. Then, as most of these votes, as well voted also in the "City Council". Who does not have easy Internet access may exercise their vote by sending emails, sms or voice calls to automated systems. Obviously, for citizens to vote, they must draft a simplified version of the laws presented to them. And we must create ways to combat the apathy that seems to define most citizens, with studies indicating that forms of direct democracy encourage citizens to be more active, informed and engaged.

[Italy] Italian Elections

M5S is near an historical result for the participative movements of all the world, and namely those that are part of IntDPD.

Source:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/feb/24/italy-elections-end-to-sleaze-cronyism

[Spain] Spain is being confronted with a succession of corruption of the highest degree

Spain is being confronted with a succession of corruption of the highest degree. These cases - as well as the scale of funds trafficked by PP leaders - are particularly shocking in the context of deep economic crisis and unemployment in Spain. Against this background of political immorality and chronic impunity, in a context where the Desperation begins to be stronger than the fear and confronting Greece collapsed, where the popular are looting supermarkets, chronic unemployment are signs of a state that has stopped working Spain is on the verge of a social explosion unprecedented in the last ninety years.

As in Spain, as in Greece, as well, in Portugal, the victims of this widespread corruption and impunity are citizens. Victims opaque business of grave harm to the state and leading to an increasingly oppressive taxation that feeds some powerful "businessmen" who live in dependence of the States.

But more guilty than these politicians are citizens who resign an active role in their society, they elect or elect partidocratas leave on a rotational basis and leaderless. Given this situation, it is necessary to activate Citizenship, stop being citizens of Protestant couch or facebook and we return to the spaces of citizen action that the representative system dominant left us (voting, demonstrations, citizen applications, petitions, associational life, militancy in anti-party system, etc.). Let us go forth from within us, this "we" restrained and frightened and redeem this public space that Major Interests - so much for our passivity - in stolen today exerts its empire.

[Link] democraciaparticipativa.net

democraciaparticipativa.net: The site is sponsored by the association democraciaparticipativa.net "Nuestra Cultural Initiative". The site has several pages in English and Spanish promoting issues related to direct and participatory democracy. The site is maintained by a group of volunteers and participates in and promotes events and conferences all over the world.

The major objective of democraciaparticipativa.net is to foster greater citizen participation in political life.

The "Nuestra Cultural Initiative" is not a party or a political organization, but a cultural initiative designed to promote participatory democracy and publicize their efforts, activities and news serving the goals of Direct Democracy and Participatory. The democraciaparticipativa.net a member of the International Observatory of Participatory Democracy, the World Movement for Democracy (WMD) and the Democracy International (DI), among others.
 
Source:
DemocraciaParticipativa.net

[Internet Democracy] Two good examples from Brazil: Votenaweb and Politicos.com.br

Regeneration Politics via the development and implementation of tools and methods of Direct Democracy or Participatory must be done through the Internet and new technologies.

In the field of Democracy Online tool most used in Portugal and the rest of the globe, is today - without margin for doubt - that of "Petitions Online" form of common citizens to come to power and left a mark on decision making of legislative processes. These petitions have fulfilled an important role in the rapprochement between elected and electors and the introduction of a logical system in a more participatory representative exhausted and deeply discredited.

The online petitions are one way of strengthening democracy by participatory component, a path that should be expanded, but not the only one: other ways to increase the involvement of citizens in political decisions and to monitor more closely the elect exist or can be developed: in this regard should notice two interesting sites in Brazil: the www.votenaweb.com.br and politicos.com.br.

In votenaweb, the legislative proposals under consideration and voting in parliamentary chambers may be voted by Brazilian citizens, after the site had written a simplified description of the same and with a space for comments. politicos.com.br in, you can see the absenteeism of MPs, the amount that had laws, the number of seats and even ... the amount of lawsuits that are pending ...

[News] Two very interesting participative sites Votenaweb.com.br and www.politicos.org.br

Citizens can vote laws in Laws on Parlament: http://www.votenaweb.com.br/
Representative Politians ranking: http://www.politicos.org.br/

Two good examples, that can be followed in many countries...

[Partido da Terra] "Partido da Terra" (Galiza) publishes on his site a reference do the IntDPD project

Full Article (in Portuguese):
http://www.partidodaterra.net/noticia/pt-participa-em-internacional-pola-democracia-direta/

[Concepts] The example of State Referendum in the US

In Mississippi (USA) will most likely take place in a constitutional referendum on its citizens will decide on an amendment to the State Constitution (which the legal framework of the federation that is in the U.S. is located immediately below the U.S. Constitution) about the nature and definition of "human personality" and in the context of the Abortion Laws. This particular does not concern us here, but we are interested in (and excessively) is the ability to have U.S. citizens to vote in a referendum and adopt amendments to its Constitution.In another U.S. State, the Ohio, the Constitution allows a certain percentage of voters that a petition may cancel some types of legislation approved by the Governor and the state Legislature. Using this mechanism (known as "Citizen Veto"), a group of citizens entitled "We Are Ohio" collected more than a million voters on a petition to hold a referendum and thus nullify a recently enacted law banning collective bargaining contracts work. The proposed canceling the referendum got 60% of votes thus leading to the annulment of the law passed by the state legislature and signed by the governor. Thus was fulfilled, "democracy", missing the "representative democracy", often kidnapped for defending the Big Interests, and winning this form of "direct and participatory democracy" whose promotion, development and exercise is so deeply based in principles and objectives Direct and Participative Democracy.Here is what is lacking also in many countries around the world: the ability for citizens to convene a national referendum on presentation in Parliament of a petition with a minimum number of signatures leading to a referendum that could nullify certain laws passed in Parliament. This tool would increase the scale of our participatory democracy, entrosaria more citizens in civic life, giving them an effective intervention tool in their goals and become destinations and MPs more accountable and aware in relation to the real interests of those they represent in the Assembly the Republic.

(text adaptated from an original publicaton on a blog from +D: http://Movv.org)


Source:http://last-lost-empire.com/blog/?p=1462 # more-1462

[Suggested Link] "My Vote is for Direct Democracy"

"My Vote is for Direct Democracy"
on http://tradeonion.wordpress.com

[Suggested Link] "The Return of Politics"

"The Return of Politics"
on  http://lookingbeyondborders.com

[New Member] democracylab.com (USA) !

Welcome to the new member of IntDPD !

DemocracyLab
http://democracylab.org/

[Events] Debate about "Participative Democracy in Lisboa" (+D = Democracia em Movimento)

2 march 2013 (Lisbon)


More details in http://www.facebook.com/events/100982950085216/

[News] With more than 800 000 signatures collected as of today, the European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) 'Water is a Human Right' most likely is to become the first European Citizens' Initiative to reach one million signatures

"Brussels, Jan. 30.─ With more than 800 000 signatures collected as of today, the European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) 'Water is a Human Right' most likely is to become the first European Citizens' Initiative to reach one million signatures. This is the necessary amount for a citizen proposal to be considered by the EC as a piece of law citizens want to see realised in the EU.

Since the beginning of this year tens of thousands of Europeans have increasingly signed the citizens' initiative, which aims at implementing water and sanitation as a human right and providing water as a public good by keeping it out of the internal market rules. The numbers jumped up while the European Commission proposed draft legislation that aims at granting public bodies the right to tender public services to private businesses, including water distribution ("Directive on Concessions").

Source:
http://democraciaparticipativa.net/consultas-referenda/5876-direct-democracy-takes-off-at-european-level.html

[Opinion] The Citizen Role in the development of Participative Democracy

We believe that this policy paralyzed by the Great Interests, subservient to Speculators and High Finance is a Gordian Knot that can be untied rescuing citizens for the public space of intervention that was stolen or that they let loose with in the last two decades.

This rescue will lead to increased civic and political participation of citizens and not just create conditions so that it can express. It should also encourage the development of a widespread desire for a significant number of citizens to Participate.

To enable a truly participatory citizenship, it must make Citizens did not reject the aspect of political and civic life in society. We must also promote and develop a public education but demanding sustainable, quality and universal and free media, immune to the pressures of big economic groups.

Renew Democracy for that become more participatory and direct, but to bring to fruition this goal is also to create the conditions for which people are willing to give this "quantum leap" in their levels of political participation and civic and they also want to occupy this space ... and this is indeed the great battle that still needs to fulfill.

Rui Martins (www.maisdemocracia.org)

[New Member] UnPartei (Germany) !

Welcome to the new member of IntDPD !

UnPartei (Germany)
http://unpartei.wikispaces.com/

[Events: maisdemocracia.org] +D Debate "Participative Democracy in Lisbon"

2 de March 4:00 PM WET

ISCTE-IUL Instituto Universitário de Lisboa

Event link:
https://plus.google.com/u/0/events/c7bdooelvn4bsega22duvdm37ek?authkey=CN_FtfiX-qekFw

[IntDPD] New logo!

[New Member] AGIR POUR LA DEMOCRATIE DIRECTE (A2D) !

Welcome to the new member of IntDPD !
AGIR POUR LA DEMOCRATIE DIRECTE (A2D):
http://www.democratiedirecte.fr

[Quotes] "Representative democracy is dead; long live to Participatory democracy!"

"Representative democracy is dead; long live to Participatory democracy!"

Source:
http://www.ramaral.org/?p=2851

[News] Participative Democracy in Cascais (Portugal)

(Clicking on "CC" and the "Beta Translation" to English is possible to view this video with english subtitles)

[News] Participatory democracy course for governement agents in Brazil

"Members of boards of federal public policy, federal managers and technicians involved in participatory politics and members of civil society organizations can enroll in national Specialization Course on Participatory Democracy, Republic and Social Movements. From next Monday will be open to applications for selection of candidates for this third stage of the Training Program Directors National.

The partnership of the General Secretariat of the Presidency with the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) will offer 150 vacancies, only the distance. Launched in 2008, the program aims to create a space for reflection and exchange of experiences related to social participation and democratization of state management.

More information by e-mail: edist@fafich.ufmg.br, by telephone at (31) 3499-3551 and 3499-5004 or page www.ufmg.br / conselheirosnacionais. Entries can be made ​​until the day 25/2 internet, however, the required documentation must be mailed until the day 2/20/13 (postmarked) to the following address: Federal University of Minas Gerais, Faculty of philosophy and Humanities, Department of Political Science, Participatory Democracy Project - Room 305 (Reference Center for Humanities) Antonio Carlos Av, 6627. Campus Pampulha. Belo Horizonte - MG. CEP: 31270-901."

Source:
http://www.secretariageral.gov.br/noticias/ultimas_noticias/2013/02/01-02-2013-democracia-participativa-tem-curso-a-distancia

[www.DemocraciaDireta.org] "Concrete, constructive and operational action is the best way to advance Direct Democracy"

Members of International Platform of Movements of Direct and Participatory Democracy:

 

Concrete, constructive and operational action is the best way to advance Direct Democracy. The main objective of direct democracy is to maximize direct decision making of the citizens.

 

Current economic and information technology development allows all public decisions, goods and services to be transformed in direct individual decisions. A non-taxing coordination state of last resort can solve any socio-economic problems/goals using non-taxing economic tools as counter-cycle investment reserves.

 

Direct Executive Zero Taxation and Direct Judiciary Zero Legislation (judicial insurance, open certification of agents, prove damage/premeditation/danger) is possible and the ultimate expression of Direct Democracy.

 

Direct Democracy United Nations seeks to transform the United Nations into a direct democracy federation with zero taxation/legislation, with global elections for a

no-remuneration direct executive for last resort coordination. www.ddun.org

 

Global Ocean Federation (Globocean) is a direct democracy organization of ships, platforms, offshore cities (in free international waters) and island/continental nations that approve zero taxation/legislation. www.globocean.org

 

Our National Direct Democracy Parties seek to implement Direct Democracy and to their nation to join Global Ocean Federation. 2/3 of the planet are the abandoned oceans.

Once most nations join Globocean, they will transform the United Nations also into a direct democracy federation.

 

National government multi-trillion assets (shares of incorporated self-financed public organizations including public roads/areas) and current tax income should be distributed to citizens' Funds of Individual Investment and Social Security (FIS) eliminating poverty and the need for taxation.

 

Counter-cycle investment reserves of all financial assets will eliminate unemployment and inflation. Join and support national joining to the Global Ocean Federation and transforming the United Nations into a direct democracy federation with zero taxation/legislation.

 

Join us!

 

Alex Napoli (founder-coordinator)

Direct Democracy Brazil – Movement, Party, Government and Enterprises

www.DemocraciaDireta.org

Direct Democracy United Nation – Movement, Party, Government and Enterprises

www.DDUN.org

Globocean – Global Ocean Federation

www.globocean.org

 

democraciadireta@democraciadireta.org

[IntDPD] Objectives of IntDPD: International Platform of Movements of Direct and Participatory Democracy

The idea:
The idea for launching this project came from the current boiling citizenship activities in the developed world and especially in European countries (such as Portugal) that are being victims of an intervention by the troika IMF / ECB / EC: this led into the appearance or boiling the development of certain entities (associations, movements and parties) whose central points in its principles and objectives are the development of democracy, through mechanisms, tools and proposals for Direct or Participatory Democracy. These new entities could build bridges of communication and sharing to enable them to share their ideas, communicate among themselves, disclose their existence and build synergies and positions that would enable them to consolidate alternative Participatory and Direct Democracy on the jaded and increasingly discredited current Model of Representative Democracy.

In the short term:
One: Construction of a platform for informal movements, associations and political parties to place Direct or Participatory Democracy at the core of his thought and action.
2nd: Creating a facebook page (in English), a mailing list and a website to collect information on members.
3rd: Disclosure and share events, news and positions of the participating entities in those media.

In the long term:
One: Meeting in person or via Skype/Google Hangout
2nd: Establishment of a "participatory international chart" that is consensual to all members and gather ideas and proposals for the renewal of democracy proposed and approved by all. Voted by members, supporters and participants of participating entities.
3rd: Formation of a "Sixth International" (a name to be tuned..) of Direct Participatory ideology.

PS: All the project must be "costs free".

[Participatory Local Budgets} Participative Budgets in some Portuguese Cities

Despite the proliferation of Participatory Budgeting to nearly two dozen Portuguese cities and the existence tools such as Participatory Democracy Petitions of Citizens Legislative Initiatives and Referendums, the truth is that Participatory Democracy has not yet come to parties.

And if not reached, not reached due to the phenomenon that best characterizes the contemporary Portuguese society: Fear. Fear to innovate, Fear Decide, Act of Fear and the Fear of Speaking. In the case of partidocracia, partidocratas the fear that internal change in the forms of life management partisan change the internal balance of power and influence and that the influx of citizens to parties eventually repel the bosses in them - since 1976 - will be alternating.

But despite this fear for change, the parties will have to be open to civil society, to exit out of your tired and exhausted circle of comfort (militant and employees) and open the doors to citizens: thus able to renew their own ranks with new blood , creativity and innovation, and in this way remain active in a society increasingly demanding.

[ECIs] The European Citizens 'Initiatives', or ECI

The European Citizens 'Initiatives', or ECI are very poorly known. And with good reason: created by European legislators with draconian requirements, intentionally designed to hinder its practical application, the ECIS were never materialized. Until today.

Indeed, winning the high bar that was imposed by Brussels Representative eurocracy eight hundred thousand (!) europeans are about to materialize the first ECI European Union arguing that "Water is a Human Right."

 
Now missing "only" 200 thousand signatures to the high level required by Brussels.

The petition has grown very significantly in 2013 and aims to make access to quality water and sanitation services are regarded as a human right and which are placed outside the rules of the European Internal Market.

The ECI is now particularly urgent now that the European Commission is proposing legislation that aims to allow member states to privatize public services such as the distribution of water in what in the jargon is called internal eurocracy as "Policy Concessions."

The problem is that under the draconian rules of the European ECI after such an initiative to be formally presented to European Union citizens have only one year to collect a million signatures. And that this term ends April 1 this year!

Sign this ECI! http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0526-28.htm

Source:
http://www.epsu.org/a/8598

[Brazil] The Role of Online Petitions

Renan Calheiros

There is Brazil a very curious wave of online petitions. The most popular one is currently calling for the resignation of Senate President Renan approaching the minimum number of subscriptions (1.3 million!), but other online petitions are also very active and growing: in the case of a petition NGO Peace River that already has over 400,000 signatures.

What is certain is that these petitions may produce no practical or legal effect, but there is an effect that is working and working very well: the media aspect. It may seem little, but bring a cause for the media agenda is not easy and in fact, the petitions have proven, in Brazil and Portugal, they can occasionally break this blockade.

The online petitions are a form of participatory democracy. Are not without difficulties (not always possible to gather a significant number of signatures are obtained or practical effects or even media echoes), but are a simple and feasible to introduce participatory tools in current Representative Democracy, drained and blocked by lobbies and the partidocracias.

source:
http://www.oene.com.br/o-que-podemos-aprender-com-a-onda-de-peticoes-online/