The Wise Democracy Innovations Project
One of a series of complementary New Democracy Projects
see www.democracyinnovations.org
PROPOSED PROBLEM: It is
not likely that human civilization will survive the 21st Century
without bringing a lot more wisdom to its problem-solving and
decision-making activities. But it seems clear that the decision-making
institutions of our existing democracies do not regularly produce
truly wise decisions. To make matters worse, few people see any
connection at all between wisdom and democracy. This does not
bode well.
There are many reasons for this state of affairs, and many
approaches to handling it. Much has been said about all this,
although seldom within this framework of integrating wisdom and
democracy.
PROPOSED SOLUTION: This
project will bring together hundreds of already-existing democratic
innovations that could serve as a foundation for a wiser democracy.
It will present those innovations in that promising context --
AS RESOURCES FOR CREATING A WISER DEMOCRACY. It will also attempt
to link up innovators and activists within this frame of reference,
spreading the meme and dream of a wise democracy, in the hope
that together they will bring forth a movement to pursue that
dream.
AN OUTLINE OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT WORLDVIEW
In a wise democracy we would find an informed,
free People using their collective power capably and wisely.
WHAT IS DEMOCRACY?
A decision, solution or arrangement is democratic to the extent
that:
- It fairly includes the people or interests which are involved
in the situation being addressed.
- It does not involve or support the concentration of irresponsible
power ("irresponsible power" is power that is not answerable
to those over whom it is exercised).
- It supports the fulfillment of individual needs and potential
within the context of a healthy community.
WHAT IS WISDOM?
A statement, decision or action is wise to the extent that:
- It takes every relevant factor and perspective into account
(including its own limitations and the long-term, big-picture
context it is part of).
- It elegantly satisfies the deepest needs of all interested
parties.
- It teaches, heals, deepens or expands people's awareness.
- It inspires, bringing out the best in everyone who comes
in contact with it.
WHAT IS A WISE DEMOCRACY?
- In a wise democracy, the People
are free and informed. In this project we will
explore:
- Innovations in Freedom -
that enliven people in an interdependent world
- Innovations in Justice
- that support equity and fairness in a healthy community
- Innovations in Information -
that help people engage with possibilities
- In a wise democracy, the People are engaged and
empowered. In this project we will explore:
- Innovations in Citizenship
- that empower co-creative responsibility
- Innovations in Campaigns
- that evoke positive participation
- Innovations in Power -
that ensure that it is distributed, balanced or answerable
- Innovations in Economics
- that support a co-created, high-level quality of life
- Innovations in Decision-making
- that creatively engage diverse perspectives in generating decisions
that benefit the whole community or society
- In a wise democracy, the
People use their power capably. In this project
we will explore:
- Innovations in Human potential
- that develop people's ability to live full, enjoyable, fruitful
lives
- Innovations in individual and community
Skill and Capacity-building - that support a thriving,
wise democracy
- Innovations in Self-organization
- that enable communities and societies to organize, heal, learn
develop and sustain themselves
- In a wise democracy, the
People use their power wisely. In this project
we will explore:
- Innovations in Conversation -
that support shared exploration, discovery and wise collective
action
- Innovations in dealing with Differences
- that create new and better things out of diversity
- Innovations in The Commons -
that ground people in the powerful things they share
- Innovations in Community -
that strengthen people's connections to support their vibrant
interactivity and co-creativity.
- Innovations in Spirituality
- that help people bring their faith and values into their public
lives without undermining their capacity to work together
- Innovations in understanding Wisdom
- that help people recognize wisdom and seek out its sources.