Democracy: Participatory vs Representational

[Rorschach]

For decades there have been rumblings and attempts to move our democracy from representational to participatory.

Does the growth of minor parties and involvement of independents point to a growing mood for change?

Minor party policies (One Nation, Australian Democrats) that call for direct democracy through CIR reflect such a move.

Are we seeing a mood for change and should our representative be looking to facilitate such cham=nges in our democracy?

[Aussie]

For decades there have been rumblings and attempts to move our democracy from representational to participatory.

Really? I've never been aware of it.

Does the growth of minor parties and involvement of independents point to a growing mood for change?

I can't see any link. Can you?

Minor party policies (One Nation, Australian Democrats) that call for direct democracy through CIR reflect such a move.

...and look what happened to them!

Are we seeing a mood for change and should our representative be looking to facilitate such cham=nges in our democracy?

No.

That style of debate remind you of anyone Roach?

[freediver]

CIR?

What do you mean by participatory?

I think we should give this a go. The QLD senate would be a good place to trial it.

http://www.ozpolitic.com/electoral-refo ... proxy.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It combines the benefits of direct and representative democracy.

[Jovial_Monk]

Hmmmmm Qld don’t have a Senate.

[Aussie]

Hmmmmm Qld don’t have a Senate.

The link discusses that.

[freediver]

JM, that's why it would be a good place to trial it.

[Aussie]

JM, that's why it would be a good place to trial it.

Done my best..................I do not understand 'it.' Clarify.

[freediver]

If you tried to abolish a house of parliament with say, 100 members, then there would be 100 people with a vested interest in the status quo standing in your way. That is why the abolition of QLD's state senate was so remarkable.

On the other hand, if you are creating it from scratch, it is much easier. You would still have the major party vested interests trying to prevent minor parties having a balance of power, but you start off one step ahead.

[Rorschach]

kiddies, kiddies, kiddies... you're lowering the bar a long way when I say only JM made a sensible comment.

Well done JM.

[Aussie]

If you tried to abolish a house of parliament with say, 100 members, then there would be 100 people with a vested interest in the status quo standing in your way. That is why the abolition of QLD's state senate was so remarkable.

On the other hand, if you are creating it from scratch, it is much easier. You would still have the major party vested interests trying to prevent minor parties having a balance of power, but you start off one step ahead.

Yeah yeah......but what is 'it,' and exactly how is 'it' set up and how does 'it' work?