Examine the Wikipedia page if you wish but basically, it means that the citizens vote on new laws, and on changes to, or repeal of, existing laws. In the UK currently we have a Representative Democracy whereby we elect representatives to vote on changes to the law on our behalf. This, as with other similar political systems, hands over responsibility, and therefore power, to a political ‘godhead’ or handful of MP’s rather than the people of this country. Those representatives are called members of parliament or MPs.
With direct democracy, citizens would vote on all new laws or changes to laws by using several methods, one is the traditional pen and paper method, another involves the use of modern computer technology and the Internet for fast, secure, paperless communications between the people and the government.
Each question or set of questions that is presented to all citizens during a direct democratic process can be considered to be a referendum. We rarely have referendums or referenda (however you wish to call it) but it is the same as the usual voting we do every 4 or 5 years. Only with referendums, it is a question about a new law or a change in law instead of a vote for a political party or an MP.
For DD to be effective and fair it needs at least 3 events to occur during the process:
- Participation – widespread participation in the decision making process by the people affected
- Deliberation – a rational discussion where all major points of view are weighted according to evidence
- Equality – all members of the population on whose behalf decisions are taken have an equal chance of having their views taken into account.
How these events can be engineered or made to occur are debatable. This website will provide the opportunity for people to discuss, propose and agree on this further. See the Social Media page to discuss and debate DD with others.
Why is it the only true form of democracy?
Forms of government based on parliaments and parties or on despotism, dictatorship or republics etc. are contrary to any true democracy and are a fraud against the peoples because they are deceived by untenable promises, propaganda and lies etc.
When the peoples have to make their own decisions under their own responsibility, their true and uninfluenced opinions are brought to bear.
If the decision of the majority of citizens is implemented in law or otherwise, then whatever that decision may be, there can be no logical argument against implementing such a decision as it will be decided by the people for the people. For the many and not for the few or the one.
In a true democracy, every person called to vote must be able to express his or her free opinion about a pro or con and be able to make clear what is his or her view and opinion, as well as his or her desire.
How could it solve most problems facing British citizens today?
The collective knowledge and wisdom of British citizens provides us with the ability to choose the best path. We have very intelligent people in all areas of history, economics, science, technology, engineering and maths (and philosophy!) who can provide solutions to all problems and describe them using words that any adult can understand. Simple words are important when addressing the citizens not all of which know the meaning of long scientific words often used in scientific papers.
Knowledge of history is important because those who do not learn from past mistakes are doomed to repeat it.
Knowledge of economics is important because our socio-capitalistic economy is sensitive to changes so any economic changes must be carefully planned.
Knowledge of STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) is important because it has improved and can further improve our quality of life and allow us to find ways to preserve our ecological environment.
If the knowledge of our experts is harnessed during the implementation of DD then this would allow us to make any change to how our society operates with the knowledge of measurable risk in mind, no matter how radical that change may appear to be.