Michael Macpherson wrote:
I referred to possible innovations of direct democratic nature such as
citizens' law initiative and referendum. Do you hold that citizen-initiated
direct democratic action in Switzerland or Germany led to ill-treatment of
travellers and gypsies, anti-semitic behaviour etc.?
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No, naturally not and I understand this as a rhetorical question.
There is obviously much that is praiseworthy in the Swiss way of
doing things. However it is a little disappointing to find that, even in
this exemplary participatory system, some quite serious violations
can take place.
This raises the interesting theoretical consideration that, if the democracy
was successful in being "representatively" participatory, maybe the greater
part of the electorate was complicit in certain of these obviously wrong decisions.
Andrew Jameson
ex Lancaster University, UK
----------
From: Michael Macpherson <[log in to unmask]>
To: german-studies <[log in to unmask]>
Cc: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Fw: demokratische Kultur
Date: 22 December 1999 12:27
Good day,
I reply to Andrew Jameson but will not be able to resume discussion until
around 30th December.
"Andrew Jameson" <[log in to unmask]> Wed, 22 Dec 1999 11:33:45 -0000
>All the more surprising, then, that democracy was not able to ensure moral
>and humane public policy in the matters of treatment of
>travellers and gypsies (whose children were forcibly removed and
>re-educated), Jewish refugees from Nazism (some of whom were
>handed back) and banking policy (which allowed a refuge for criminal and
>looted cash and valuables and arguably still does).
>Andrew Jameson
>ex Lancaster University
>----------
There has been much discussion about devolution, reform of the second
parliamentary chamber and the system of parliamentary election. I'm
suggesting that we take a broader look at how democratic decision-making
and policy implementation, as well as public deliberation of policy-related
matters, may be reformed. To allow a reasonable quorum of citizens to put
issues on the public agenda, and to call a referendum in some cases, seems
to me to be an improvement over what there is in Britain now. Carefully
examining practice in other countries is IMO a good idea.
There is evidence that ways in which societies come to reach decisions (or
decide for status quo) can be affected, often for the better, if there is
more participation. This can lead to more commitment and a sense of having
a stake in public life. There is a body of research which could be drawn
upon here, much of it in german.
I referred to possible innovations of direct democratic nature such as
citizens' law initiative and referendum. Do you hold that citizen-initiated
direct democratic action in Switzerland or Germany led to ill-treatment of
travellers and gypsies, anti-semitic behaviour etc.?
Sincerely
Michael Macpherson
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dr. Michael Macpherson,
PSAMRA/Integral Studies,
Berlin FRG
tel.: +49 30 262 3768
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
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