Demarchy
The demarchy ( portmanteau of the demos " people" and ἄρχειν archein δῆμος ancient Greek. " His first reign " ) is a democratic form of government, are determined in the Government and representatives of the people by the lottery and not by elections.
- 3.1 General characteristics
- 3.2 Concept ' planning cell ' by Peter Dienel
- 3.3 Concept laity Parliament by Burkhard Wehner
- 4.1 Reduced effort of political (self ) representation
- 4.2 Prevention of corruption and influence
- 5.1 lay judges and juries
- 5.2 Citizens Committee for Constitutional Reform ( Iceland )
- 5.3 Citizens Committee for Electoral Reform (Canada)
- 5.4 Citizens' Jury on the legislation in beverage deposit (Australia)
- 5.5 Citizen participation for municipal budget of the city Zeguo (China)
- 5.6 board election in Internet Engineering Task Force
History of the idea and the concept
The Greek philosopher Aristotle wrote in his work Politica: " For example, I think that it is to be regarded as democratic if the rulers are chosen by lot, while elections must be considered as oligarchic. "
The term demarchy was announced by the Australian philosopher John Burn home.
Demarchien in history
(see also substitute for dialing)
Athenian democracy
The demarchy was partly in the context of the ancient polis in Greece, especially in Athens, practiced in order to curb corruption or violence during election campaigns: City councilors, judges and most offices were determined by lot. However, women, slaves and citizens of foreign origin were not approved as candidates. In addition, a concentration of power took place in the remaining election office of Strategos.
Different models of demarchy
General characteristics
There were and are several approaches to achieve demarchy. Both representatives of the people in decision-making bodies and officers can be determined by random selection. Decision-making bodies can be defined according to either a legislature, or only for a particular decision. They act in the peripheral sense as a government or is there ever a body for an area ( education, environment, economy, etc. ). Another aspect concerns the question of whether there is a duty to participate in the lottery or if you also can choose not to. It could also be made narrowing down the selection based (by age, educational level, interests, experience, etc. ).
Concept ' planning cell ' by Peter Dienel
In Germany, in the area of policy planning, the sociologist Peter Dienel developed the concept of planning cell in which the members of an advisory committee is not appointed, but are chosen by lot from the ( eg ) inhabitants of a beplanten area, which has proven itself quite well (from the local to the European level ). A similar method has been developed by Ned Crosby in the U.S. under the name " Citizens ' Jury"; it draws on the juries.
Concept lay Parliament by Burkhard Wehner
Inspired by Peter Dienel concept of planning cell suggests Burkhard Wehner for the establishment of so-called laity parliaments, whose members shall be chosen by lottery. The combination of selected experts parliaments and parliaments dissolved lay Wehner sees the modern combination of proximity and expertise of the policy-making process.
Presumed advantages over representative democracy
The developers of Demarchiekonzepten try what they see as shortcomings of representative democracy to overcome. ( See also disadvantages of representative democracy )
Less effort of political (self ) representation
In representative democracies much time and money it is used to promote parties and politicians to represent their goals and statements in the media and to convince the voters. In addition, most voters have neither the time nor the interest to gain full deal with the programs of the parties or their behavior or that of the candidate. In the demarchy this effort is not necessary. Decisions are made by people who did not try to present themselves in such a manner.
For MPs and political office-holders, it is typical that they spend a significant portion of their time to maintain relationships and to achieve journalistic attention. In the demarchy omitted such a hassle for people's representatives and is at least considerably lower for public office holders.
Prevention of corruption and influence
Random people are far less dependent. You do not have to take on a party line, a party career, obtaining a political post or the impression they make in public, consideration and get less under the influence of lobbying. The chances of corrupt they are much lower than is the case with the elected representatives in representative democracy, among other reasons, because they are not known until after her appointment.
Elements of demarchy in today's political practice
Currently you can find demarchy in practice juries in public participation procedures (such as citizens' report ), on advisory committees and in organizations.
Lay judges and juries
In many countries, lay judges are used, the result together with professional judges, the court hearing. These are determined either by lot from the population, or may apply. In German juries they have this virtually the same powers as the professional judges and can even overrule this. In criminal cases come in many countries jurors juries are used, which make independent judgment by the judge on the question of guilt. While many court systems, such as the UK, France and Austria use, jurors only for particularly serious crimes, they come in the United States in all criminal prosecutions, and even in most civil proceedings for use.
Citizens Committee for Constitutional Reform ( Iceland )
The Icelandic parliament was in 2010 draw lots for a group of 1000 citizens, the proposals for a new constitution should make. Then 25 people were selected from them, who drew up a new draft constitution. The proposal for the new constitution Islands was designed independent of the parliament and private stakeholders. However, it also suggestions of other citizens were taken into account, which could participate via Facebook and other social media in the process. In a subsequent referendum, the Constitution was approved by a two-thirds majority of the voters. However, the Icelandic Parliament refused so far to adopt the Constitution, but which according to the Constitution currently in force is necessary. A final decision is still pending.
Citizens Committee for Electoral Reform (Canada)
In the Canadian province of British Columbia, a group of citizens was determined by lot, which should suggest the right to vote in the so-called Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform changes. It was observed that significant investment would be needed to lift the members of the group to a level that allowed them to find appropriate proposals and present.
Civil jury legislation in beverage deposit (Australia)
In 2000, the environment ministers of the Australian state of New South Wales, " Institute of Sustainable Futures " (ISF ) commissioned in Sydney with a study on legislation for a deposit on beverage containers. In the context of this task, the Institute presented a random selection together a citizens' jury. This should bring the various possibilities for a circulatory system to weigh in consideration of the acceptance of the parties against each other. The jury was influenced neither by industry nor of environmental organizations. The participants indicated that they found the public interest over their personal.
Citizen participation for municipal budget of the city Zeguo (China)
Runs on China's east coast in the industrial city Zeguo (2009), a political experiment on the participation of citizens in political decisions. It is managed on behalf of the Chinese government of Bao Ganghe who teaches politics in Australia. In Zeguo 200 residents are selected for pure random, discuss the financial budget of the city for the coming year.
Board election in Internet Engineering Task Force
In the " Internet Engineering Task Force " delegates are nominated by random selection, then choose the Head of organization.