The People’s Platform
Author: Denis Pitcher
What NEED does this meet?
I’ve been struggling to establish real democracy in my home country of Bermuda. Typical politics works much too slowly and the system of “representative democracy” simply does not match the growing needs of present times.
I decided what was needed was an online collaborative effort to build a platform of the people. So that each individual can work to build the ideal political platform to give to their representatives as a guide to what the people want to see happen.
I have grown much too tired watching as small groups decide the will of the people in a top down approach when really politics should be about all people involved from a bottom up approach.
What is the APPROACH?
I wanted to make The People’s Platform a reality. First I tried using the wikipedia engine, unfortunately because it is not WYSIWYG enabled, the interface was much too difficult for some.
I then tried using a discussion forum, which was good for it’s voting potential, but didn’t allow submissions to be made to modify ideas.
Here is what I ideally want to see built.
An online collaborative “People’s Platform” website.
1. Individuals can create topics just like on wikipedia
2. Individuals can vote on topics
3. Individuals can post submissions on how an idea or topic should be revised
4. Individuals may discuss and debate revisions
5. Individuals approve of revisions by voting upon them
6. Changes are launched, and members of that idea are notified to rereview and vote.
What are the BENEFITS to people?
If we could convince our leadership what it is that WE want rather then having them tell us what we want, we would be closer to real and true democracy.
The best possible platform is one that can take in the needs and desires of the greatest many individuals possible. Revisions can be made that make an idea stronger by allowing people to discuss the best possible solutions, suggest why they won’t work and how to revise them so they will.
What is the COMPETITION?
If you know of anything that already does this, let me know, I’ve been looking.
My idea must win because it’s what all people interested in convincing our politicians to make a difference need as an open collaborative tool.
What BUDGETS & LOGISTICS are required?
This is relatively unknown. It would take a fair bit of coding or modification of existing platforms to create. I have considered a number of wiki projects as a starting point, but many arn’t designed in this manner and would have to be revised quite a bit to match the needs of this project.
It is doable, just not by a single individual
this does some of what you want
http://www.campaigncreator.org/
i am sure that they would be willing to share not least because it was funded by uk central government and bermuda is an overseas territory (although that may be somethign you are interested in changing)
There is also the online petition service that was developed for the Scottish Parliament. Its used to generate the agenda for one of the Parliament’s committee’s. It is callee e-Petition and it works. They sold it to a German regional parliament too. http://epetitions.scottish.parliament.uk/
A Scottish Nationalist MSP (Member of the Scottish Parlaiment) is the great supporter of this. I am sure he would be happy to hear from you. He is very evangelical about this means of participation. Andrew Welsh. andrew.welsh@scottish.parliament.uk Or use the links on the e-petition site.
They also offer a Participation Handbook that advises committees on how to reach out to more marginal groups http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/participationHandbook/index.htm
What is exciting about the opportunity you have in bermuda is that it is a small jurisdiction. Change is difficult anywhere, large or small, but you have an opportunity to personally effect things.
Go for ti
Just had a wider thought. A people’s platform would be re-useable in other countries and jurisdictions.
Nick,
Thanks a ton for your comments and suggestions. I actually am working myself into a position to hold more influence in local politics. My hope is that because Bermuda is a nation of 60000 people, I may be able to more quickly curve the political arena to encorporate some of the newest and greatest political ideas being developed by the e-generation.
I would welcome further ideas from you as well as anyone else on other platforms for change as well as politicial ideas for better forms of democracy and how to implement them. I hope to turn Bermuda into an ideal world model and use it as a catalyst to change how people view politics around the world, if it is possible.
Essentially you want to share knowledge, create debate and get eyeballs – i.e. generate an audience.
To do so will take much more than a website and you rightly comment you are working on gaining more influence – in fact I hope you’re transparent, building trust and facilitating accountable transactions.
I think you’d do well renting a Drupal hosting package for example and getting some PHP/Drupal friends to help manage it for you.
For more inspiration check out http://www.opendemocracy.org
Ed,
Thanks for the followup. I actually recently discovered opendemocracy and am working quickly to absorb alot of the great material that is up there. Many of the concepts are exactly what I’ve been seeking and I thank you for reminding me to take another look at the site.
I found an article on it that helps summarize some of what I put forth as part of the people’s platform idea:
Wiki-ocracy
Being able to collaboratively build a platform, constitution, and other governing documents through collaborative means is primarily my goal for where an internet based platform is needed for political change.
I believe what you are looking for is on 1062 .org – It is a real democracy technology that is beginning to really take off in NSW Australia.
However, that is used by smaller organisations and may be a bit limited for your 60,000 people. You can have a custom site designed using the same technology marketed under the name Focal Point by contacting lightweb or email marco@lightweb.com.au
The 1062 .org technology has been freely given to http://www.upworldgov.org for the purpose of allowing people around the world to properly communicate with and mangage their various levels of government. This sytem interlinks all participating communities around the globe. There is no charge for membership on the UP site. Each member registering onto the site becomes a co-equal Trustee of the Trust. In other words, the people have full control of their virtual environment on this site.