Democracy is a form of government with its origins in  Greek Civilization. The concept and practise of democracy has evolved over the past 2 millennia and it currently  exists in many forms and at various stages of evolution in different societies on the planet.

Where democracy is well established, as in many countries in the western world, it now faces a crucial choice. It must either evolve further or else lose its progress and revert back to a less democratic process where image and form replace substance. If a system is not growing and thriving it will be in decline.

EF Schaumacher once said if you are not part of the solution you are part of the problem.

Therefore when a large section of a society is not engaged with the expansion or evolution of democracy  or the  democratic process, it is in fact  contributing to its decline. Ranging from the attitude of  citizens who either can’t be bothered to vote or believe their vote will make no difference, to those concerned and proactive citizens who try to engage in every way with democratic processes only to have their voices ignored, there are numerous signs that  our experience of  democracy needs to be examined.  

Furthermore,  the true democratic process is being challenged in many western countries today by the growing  influence of multinational and global corporations and  their business interests. The very benefits of a democracy, that is the freedom it offers, can lead to a kind of privatization of interests and ironically a diminishment of democracy. Centralization and bureaucracies leech the life and significance from the body politic .When power is centralised the system is not flexible enough to respond to the wider needs of people, especially the need for creative participation. Political systems that are stable and where people retain a questioning attitude are crucial  in creating the circumstances where the evolution of the Democratic process can happen, leading to a new level of participation by citizens and  to  increased freedom, rights and responsibilities for all.  

A Living  Democracy

What would a Living Democratic System look like?

A democratic system that is alive will understand that real democracy is much more  than simply voting.   Such a system will  facilitate the participation  of as many different voices as possible in any decision  making process. It will value the diversity of input, knowing that better decisions will emerge when the wisdom, knowledge and intelligence of the entire system is involved. Democracy needs to be understood as  something we “do” rather than something we “have”.

True democracy invites people to become adult and take responsibility for shaping the direction that their society takes. As a living evolving reality, it must be engaged with constantly in order to ensure its continued evolution and to create a strong democratic culture. If this does not happen, then democracy can easily and unconsciously degenerate into a tyranny of the rich or politically influential.

A Living Democracy would embrace the conceptual shift in relationship to power and so alter the practise of politics. It would be a more interactive system and would encourage the meaningful engagement of all people and groups concerned with a particular decision. A core idea within a democracy that is evolving  is an assessment or reappraisal of the concept of power. This requires a willingness of both citizens and government to embrace power as a dynamic enabling relationship rather than a one way force. As one begins to understand how power operates within a living system one can see that each person’s action influences the actions of others within the system. This allows people within a group or society to move away from the idea of power- holders who get all the credit or blame and those who are powerless but innocent. A real living democratic system requires that systems of accountability are created and used and  are open enough to allow  questions to be asked, especially difficult questions. Healthy democracy will understand that conflict, when addressed in a creative way, will lead to better outcomes. A living democracy is a highly participative democracy. People and their concerns are central. 

If citizens could see and trust that this is so, democracy could evolve to be, not just about elections, but about a way of life in which  people creatively participate to shape their own world. This is where the cutting edge of democracy lies and is where movements like Living Democracy can be most effective

Principles of Democracy
What are the principles on which  democracy stands ?
 What  principles of  engagement  must be followed to allow a truly democratic process to unfold ?
Given that democracy is a hidden thing, how would one know that a truly democratic process was operating within a given system or government? 
What signposts would you look for?

The following principals are considered to be at the core of a truly democratic process and system;

• Inclusive participation.  Relevant people and groups are meaningfully involved in the decision making process.
• Power sharing. An understanding of power as a dynamic enabling relationship rather than a one way force. Encouraging each person or group to participate in the group dynamic.
• Openness. A willingness to listen deeply to each other
• Accountability. A willingness to take responsibility for decisions made.
• Transparency .A willingness to be honest and open
• Respect for difference. A commitment to allow  space for all aspects of a situation to be included.

Evaluating a democratic decision- making process
How would you know that an outcome was decided in a truly democratic way?

Consideration of the following questions may help:

1) Were the complete range of possible options  to meet the identified need considered at the beginning of the process, including the option of doing nothing ?

2) Was everyone that would be affected by the proposal involved from the outset ?

3) Was the process found to be fully open, transparent and honest ?

4) Were the concerns and views of all stakeholders genuinely heard and taken into  account?

5) Was there a level playing field for all participants with equal access to expertise, legal opinion etc.?

6) Has the outcome ensured balance between the needs of community, environment, business and heritage?

7) Is there consensus or near consensus that the best outcome has been achieved or is there still controversy or legal challenges?

8) Have the voices of those who care about and value precious places and things  been taken seriously ? Where is the evidence that these voices  have been listened to in relation to this decision?

9) Has the concept of  stewardship*  been considered in  reaching this decision? How does this decision steward what I care about in my heart and in my soul ?
*Stewardship
People need to start talking about the complete lack of concern in decision making for the value that  people attach to  places and things that are precious to them. Who is caring for our sacred places (eg Tara), our landscapes, our seascapes, the unique character of a place?  These are often drastically altered or destroyed by some infrastructure project . The reality is that the notion of stewardship/taking care of what people value, is mostly absent from decision making.

10) Overall, did this process empower or dis-empower the citizens and or the  authorities involved?