Internal democracy in every intermediate entity

Orientation of proposal

Organisations, unions and political parties should systematically use ICTs in the service of internal democracy, to eliminate hierarchies, and bring the grassroots closer to the decision-makers in democratic debate. Online voting can also be implemented within these organisations, facilitating democratic expression while ensuring freedom of representation.

Taking inspiration from the most recent social movements, for example, the "sans" (without) movement in France, which have found a mode of operating in network that is both more flexible and more efficient, the world of traditional organisations and ONGs can find the means to renew its own methods, especially in improving the link between the work done by permanent staff and voluntary members, and the active involvement of these members.

Context

What holds for the European Union, the government and territorial authorities should also hold for the other actors in democratic life, Whether they be political parties, unions or actors in non-profit organisations. However, the latter are still a long way from having crossed the threshold, since most of them only use ICTs as a shop window, and as a general rule they are quick to criticise the public authorities for the same faults that flaw their internal organisations. For all that, internal democracy, transparency and the quality of debate are just as important within these organisations as they are in the relations within the public authorities. They participate in a democratic culture that must nourish society as a whole. These organisations would strengthen their internal and external legitimacy if they were capable of drawing from the best that network culture has to offer.

Posté le 4 octobre 2002

©© Vecam, article sous licence creative common