"Quick Wins"
Most people are far removed from the decision makers at the centre of power and whereas a vote once every few years for a representative gives us a small degree of power, it doesn't really feel like people power, it doesn't feel like the political system is capable of addressing the big issues that we face collectively in our communities and as global citizens.
But no matter how dissatisfied we are with our politicians and a failing democracy that needs to change to be fit for the 21st century, most people are resigned to the status quo "things are the way they are and there isn't anything you can do about it".
So how do we build the belief that change is possible, and what are our priorities to begin the process of change? What alliances can be made and who is already addressing the concerns we share and deserve our support?
What goals should we set and what might the "low hanging fruit" be that we can pick off and count as a quick win?
Alex Cooper Wed 4 Mar 2020 6:13PM
Thanks, I guess there's no simple way to turbo-charge the process, it's just a question of maintaining existing contacts, inviting input and reaching out where possible. Having moved cities not too long ago, I'm starting from a small, barely established base but with belief and commitment who knows what can be achieved? (I'm thinking of the Margaret Mead quote, which I'm sure you'll be more than familiar with)
I know the idea of starting a political party has been ruled out - FPTP conspires against that, but I imagine a future politics where the progressive alliance doesn't find it so hard to get along and re-empower the people ... and that maybe Independents could become InterDependents recognising that we'll continue to struggle in isolation against established parties, yet our interdependence is a strength and is maybe a more open way to gain supporters - Independents to me has a suggestion of wanting to remain in isolation.
(I was listening in on a Zoom call organised by Compass last night. I can't remember exactly how he expressed it, but Clive Lewis recognised that the term "Progressive Alliance" is perhaps a bit jaded)
The IDP - The Interdependents Party has a ring to me, but before I get ahead of myself, let me hold that thought and go do some deep hanging out.
Bob Bollen Sat 7 Mar 2020 9:48PM
Hello Alex, and all. I’m not sure about the idea of quick wins/ low hanging fruit in this context.
Here’s an extract I wrote for some students who were helping us with a project at Talk Shop:
Some examples of participative deliberative democracy include Participatory Budgeting, Peoples’ Assemblies, Citizens’ Assemblies, World Cafe, Open Space and the methods used by Talk Shop.
....You may have heard of Extinction Rebellion’s Peoples Assemblies where whoever turns up joins in the discussion.
........
Earlier I said that I believe bottom-up, ‘participative deliberative’ democracy will play a key part in achieving a more just and sustainable society. OK, well how? The answer is I don’t really know, but that’s the beauty of a mass effort - which there is - of people experimenting with new forms. And they’re starting to share what works in different situations, and these ideas are being copied elsewhere. All this might take a long while. It might come in fits and starts, and there may be lulls when we seem to be going backwards. But because there are so many groups experimenting something new and useful is always likely to emerge.
....
Take a look at some of the links in the text, and checkout some of these networks & practitioners to see what’s going on:
Royal Society of Arts: Campaign for Deliberative Democracy and articles tagged Deliberative Democracy
Extinction Rebellion: Future Democracy Hub
Patrick Chalmers: Films on new kinds of democracy
Does that chime in any way?
Bob
Alex Cooper Sun 8 Mar 2020 9:52PM
Absolutely Bob,
I'm aware there are many groups with various initiatives to bring about change, not least of which is Alternative UK.
I guess that for all the well- meaning efforts that are out here, which I applaud whole-heartedly, I'm not sensing that a break-through is about to happen.
There's another thread about memes and going viral that I guess was in my thought process somewhere when I started this thread ... I guess I'm looking for a door that is slightly ajar that we just need to push upon and then things will begin to change very quickly through new insights, opportunities and relationships.
I'm working on a IT project that is somewhere between Twitter and Loomio - something that has an easy entry point like Twitter, but can lead to deep discussions and decision making like Loomio, The project has been a long time in development may yet still bear fruit. However, I'm old enough to realise the world moves on very quickly and my efforts may yield nothing.
However, my experience may put me in a position to nudge, nurture or support other individuals or groups with ideas to reframe society and our precious democracy that's in need of a make over to survive.
You've posted a fair few links there - I have some reading/listening/viewing to catch up on.
Thank you.
The Alternative UK · Tue 3 Mar 2020 6:54PM
It's a great question Alex. Our experience has been that the key is to be experimental within a given town or city. Extinction Rebellion is currently developing community assemblies - different from People's Assemblies or Citizens Assemblies to bring people together on their own terms. It' borrowing a lot from the collaboratories we developed as stage 1 of the Citizen Action Networks. Have you checked them out?