THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY

THE CHALLENGE OF NEIGHBOURHOOD DEMOCRACY

Friday, 20 January 12

Government struggles with two concepts of localism

Friday, 20 January 12

We, The People

Friday, 20 January 12

We, The Council

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These aren’t incompatible ...

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... if we get participation and representation to work together

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With neighbourhood budgeting ...

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... and neighbourhood planning ...

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... Government has given communities the toughest issues.

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And in referendums, the worst way to decide on them.

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We know what we want

1. Community-level participation2. Available to as many people as want to participate3. That informs people of context and data4. Gives them opportunities to discuss things 5. Takes positions but makes decisions only alongside traditional methods6. A meaningful role for councillors

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And we know some do’s and don’ts

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Don’t build a portal

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Don’t create hungry mouths

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Really don’t build a portal

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Use networks of networks

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Go where people are

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And we know the challenges

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The Bertolt Brecht Problem

“The Secretary of the Writer's UnionHad leaflets distributed in the StalinalleeStating that the peopleHad forfeited the confidence of the governmentAnd could win it back onlyBy redoubled efforts. Would it not be easierIn that case for the governmentTo dissolve the peopleAnd elect another?”

Brecht, “The Solution”

Friday, 20 January 12

Managing online/offline connexions

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Paranoia management

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National/local/hyperlocal

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Governance

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Can we turn a fairy story into a blueprint ?

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by Anthony Zacharzewski for the Democratic Society, 2012

Friday, 20 January 12