Developing democracy
Modern democracy is a recent development and was defined well by Lincoln in his famous speech of 1863 as "government of the people, by the people, for the people". At present, many people in the western world are dissatisfied with the way this is put into practice. There are suggestions how to develop the institutions toward a true rule of the people, by the people and for the people. Too many citizens feel that this is not accomplished by just going to elections once every two or four years.
A model that has been created and refined within a period of decades is presented by Prof. Dr. Johannes Heinrichs. He points out that first of all there is an overpowering influence of economics on political life, which renders all democratic activity to child's play. Then there is a dictatorship by parties or blocs of attitudes, which makes it impossible for the individual voter to opt for his or her personal combination of values in an election. The result is that many voters have grown tired of playing such a game. They realize that there is no true influence on anything important that is gong on.
The answer lies in splitting up every parliament into four sub-parliaments:
- one that just rules the economic system,
- a second one that serves the political system proper (administration, defense, legislation, judiciary),
- the third one decides on cultural matters (science, art, media, education),
- and the fourth parliament discusses and decides on basic ethical questions of the community.
Thus a new balance of power is created. Each parliament is smaller than the present one and its members are elected separately, after public debate. Candidates must earn the voters' trust and show that they are competent in their particular field - not in each and every field as it is today. The four parliaments must cooperate in many fields, but decide on their own matters. This is the end of the allround politician, the end of the bloc party system and of the lobbyists as we know them today.
see also:
Links for a better world
The Spiritual Roots of Democracy by Vaclav Havel
en.unpacampaign.org Campaign for a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly