NI4D News

From Dictatorship to Democracy 2.0

jpritikin — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 18:04:46 -0800

Today we examine Gene Sharp’s legendary handbook of non-violent resistance "From Dictatorship to Democracy" in the context of the new information revolution we have been discussing this week.

Prepared by: ISN staff

“But liberty, when men act in bodies, is power.” - Edmund Burke, Reflections on the Revolution in France (1790)

Direct Democracy as a Safeguard to Limit Public Spending

jpritikin — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 05:55:17 -0800

Patricia Funk Christina Gathmann
10 February 2012

The Deliberative Initiative: Returning Direct Democracy to the People

jpritikin — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 09:08:17 -0800

We have just completed 100 years of experimentation with the initiative in California. It was intended to empower the people to initiate the agenda for elections in which all the voters cast ballots. But the signature gathering process has itself become a barrier to the people’s agenda. Successful proposals are usually sponsored by special interests, often quite narrow ones, that seek their own advantage in winning a public vote or in placing a competing measure on the ballot to confuse the public.

Ten Steps for Radical Revolution in USA

jpritikin — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:02:33 -0800

Ten Steps for Radical Revolution in USA

by Bill Quigley / January 23rd, 2012

I am convinced that if we are to get on the right side of the world revolution, we as a nation must undergo a radical revolution of values.

— Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 1967

1. Human rights must be taken absolutely seriously. Every single person is entitled to dignity and human rights. No application needed. No exclusions at all. This is our highest priority.

Congress, you’re Fired

jpritikin — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 05:45:29 -0800

January 21, 2012 at 6:45 pm by Zack Kilmer

Capitalism in crisis

jpritikin — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 11:17:28 -0800

Capitalism is not dead. But it is severely ill and its chronic contagion is spreading through the economic and social fibres of the world. However, it can be saved and resurrected, but only at the cost of a massive transfusion of blood, sweat, suffering and destruction. Such is the nature of a system based on competition and where material profit is the over-riding priority.

Laying Waste to the Usual Objections About Democracy: Demagogues

jpritikin — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 05:54:50 -0800

Nine out of ten times the first objection that people make to direct democracy is the possibility of ending up with demagogues whipping their fellow citizens up to all kinds of ridiculous things. "Look at Hitler," they say, which is interesting, because while Hitler never came in remote contact with direct democracy, he'd be something of a poster boy for how electoral systems can work in favour of demagogues.

Econ professor to run for president

jpritikin — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 03:20:55 -0800

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -

Maybe the best person to take on issue number one -- the economy -- should be an economist?

At least, that's the thought of Laurence Kotlikoff, an economics professor at Boston University. He's planning on throwing his hat in the ring next week, announcing he's running for president as a third-party candidate.

Here’s why we’re fighting

jpritikin — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 03:43:12 -0800

By Ethan Martin

Canada and Sweden Provide Model for Economic Growth

jpritikin — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 03:18:42 -0800

Even though some are predicting the end of the world in 2012, there is a possibility it could turn out better than 2011 (a low bar). Many people who are not part of the political class continue to advance civilization and make things better for us — like the late Steve Jobs.

The Occupy movement has just begun

jpritikin — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 19:16:36 -0800

What has Occupy Wall Street accomplished? Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Ted Deutch introduced a constitutional amendment to revoke corporate personhood. What's corporate personhood? Unbelievably, our federal court system decided that corporations have the same rights as people. They can own property, make TV commercials, and spend vast amounts of money buying politicians and elections. Despite the fact that corporations are people who do not eat, sleep, die, pay a fair share of taxes or get drafted in time of war. Revoke corporate personhood.

The Establishment Left, Electoral Politics and the Revolution of 2012

jpritikin — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 07:04:42 -0800

By Mark Hand

Top 12 trends 2012

jpritikin — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 21:31:28 -0800

After a tumultuous 2011 in which many of the trends we had forecast became headline news around the world, we are now forewarning of an even more tumultuous year to come.

While it would give us great pleasure to forecast a 2012 of joy and prosperity – all brought about by the wisdom and benevolence of our fearless leaders – since we are not running for office or looking to profit by gulling the people, we tell it as we see it in our 12 Top Trends 2012.

Occupy protesters epitomize democracy

jpritikin — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 07:45:33 -0800

I recently attended the daily general assembly meeting of Occupy Albany. These meetings, led by a team of skilled facilitators, occur at 5:30 p.m. There was noisy, rush hour traffic. It was cold, dark and raining.

And yet, despite an environment less than conducive to a productive meeting, what I experienced in the next hour was both inspiring and fun. It got me reflecting on how we might all benefit from the broader use of some of the consensus building and direct democracy techniques employed in the Occupy movement across the country.

Shannah Sexton: Direct democracy might be next step

jpritikin — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 11:29:31 -0800

In light of recent political events such as the Occupy Wall Street and Tea Party movements, it is more than clear that both sides of the political spectrum are just a teensy bit annoyed with our government officials.

That's a pretty big understatement.

The moment is right for some serious conversations about whether or not we should make drastic changes to our political system.

Keiser Report – Cameron & Osborne on the Run

jpritikin — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 17:58:38 -0800

Movement right to stress democracy

jpritikin — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 05:03:45 -0800

I am glad to see the effort of Occupy Greenville toward having a leaderless organization. If this occupation is to be successful, it must remain in the spirit of direct democracy. Movements like this are a struggle, and the focus should not be on what politician to elect or making demands this early, but to build the movement utilizing direct democracy and to hold educational meetings of which we all contribute.

We The People Have A Tough Responsibility: Use Direct Democracy To Change Our Corrupt Government

jpritikin — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 11:44:15 -0800

By Doug Wight (about the author)

Citizens 9/11 Commission - A Ballot Initiative

jpritikin — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 06:32:18 -0700

United States Senator Mike Gravel has launched a Citizens 9/11 Commission employing a nationwide ballot-box initiative.

::::::::

A Framing Memo for Occupy Wall Street

jpritikin — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 11:00:46 -0700

Opinion: Direct democracy a crucial tool in protecting animals

jpritikin — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 09:02:47 -0700

By Jennifer Fearing | 10/20/11 12:00 AM PST

California is celebrating a milestone: the 100th birthday of the initiative and referenda process. The Humane Society of the United States actively works to defend this process of direct democracy born in the Progressive Era, given that it has been used to drive vital social reforms, including those protecting animals.

Consensus Is What Direct Democracy Looks Like

jpritikin — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 09:06:30 -0700

By Evan O'Neil

October 19, 2011

Do We Need Politicians, Or Can We Cut Out the Middleman?

jpritikin — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 19:11:36 -0700

American Politicians Are Bought and Paid For

Alert: American Autumn Threatened

jpritikin — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 08:32:42 -0700

by Dr. Robert D. Crane

How to Fix California’s Democracy Crisis

jpritikin — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 08:28:27 -0700

ONE hundred years ago today, California voters added the ballot initiative to the State Constitution, allowing citizens to use petitions to bring proposed statutes and constitutional amendments for a public vote.

Occupy Wall Street: A Blank Slate?

jpritikin — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 08:43:25 -0700

by Mike Maharrey

The Occupy *insert place here* movement could represent an incredible opportunity to advance the idea of decentralization and Constitutional restraint. It could also pose the greatest threat to liberty seen in a long time.

Democracy means governance through the people

jpritikin — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 11:21:42 -0700

Michael Efler is the spokesperson for 'Mehr Demokratie,' an initiative calling for more referenda and a better electoral law on the German and European level. He also says Western systems can learn from the Arab World.

"Mehr Demokratie" was founded in 1988. Today, the initiative has 13 regional branches, eight offices and close to 6,000 members. "Mehr Demokratie" is the largest non-party organization promoting democracy in the European Union. Michael Efler has been their spokesperson for two years.

Occupy Wall Street in Boston

jpritikin — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 11:20:00 -0700

I just received this press release. So it looks like I may not have to wait to get a better feel for what is going on. The protest is right by South Station so I’m thinking about taking the train. Boston has about the worst parking situation in the country, but nothing in downtown is really very far from anything else.

I ended up not being able to make it, but I did get a report, which I may post later.

“OCCUPY WALL STREET” INSPIRES PROTESTS IN BOSTON

Wieland, Or The Transformation: An American Tale by Charles Brockden Brown

jpritikin — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 03:35:24 -0700

Published at 6:14 PM on September 19, 2011

By Daniel O'Leary

Wieland, Or The Transformation:
An American Tale by Charles Brockden Brown

I Hear Voices … Two Centuries Old

Heed the Will Of the People

jpritikin — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 09:15:43 -0700

To the Editor:

The elections of fall 2010 have long been over, and the new members of Congress have been in their seats since January. Nevertheless, it still appears that there are openly hostile relations between various members of Congress and the two political parties as a whole. This comes at the expense of the great citizens of this fine country, who want and need to be more involved with the decision making of our nation, above and beyond merely voting for those who will make all of the decisions, which is very little power indeed.

An Actionable Plan for 9/11 Truth

jpritikin — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 03:19:01 -0700

An Actionable Plan for 9/11 Truth

Posted on June 3, 2011 by Admin

This is not remotely initiative ‘reform’

jpritikin — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 05:09:53 -0700

Should California’s initiative process be improved? Sure. There are plenty of good ideas worth considering. Financial backers of proposed measures could be identified more quickly and thoroughly. More thorough vetting of proposals might lead to fewer surprises or legal reversals after adoption. Safeguards that guarantee a more neutral approach to the crafting of ballot language make sense.

Direct democracy for a better nation

jpritikin — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 11:37:41 -0700

Dear Editor

Viewpoints: Celebrate our initiative process by improving its transparency

jpritikin — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 03:47:33 -0700

Viewpoints: Celebrate our initiative process by improving its transparency

By Kim Alexander
Special to The Bee

Big Businesses Back Ballot Initiatives in Upcoming Elections

jpritikin — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 23:09:09 -0700

As the 2011 election cycle heats up, there are renewed calls to rein in the initiative process. Now 100 years old in some states, citizen initiatives have had enormous impact across the United States. This form of direct democracy has tackled everything from tax cuts to prohibition, the eight-hour work day and abortion rights. But critics contend it’s been hijacked by big-money special interest groups.

US congress has been 'dysfunctional for a long time'

jpritikin — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 18:33:56 -0700

A former U.S. Senator and Democratic presidential candidate says the U.S. Congress is dysfunctional. Mike Gravel says the dysfunctionality is something that has been with the American people for a long long time.

Relax. Here are three easy ways to fix Congress

jpritikin — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 04:52:20 -0700

By Curtis Robinson

Aug 06, 2011 12:00 am

Okay, we’ll need to recap the week before moving into a quick review of the Big Ideas to Fix Everything.

Direct democracy online

jpritikin — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 20:56:45 -0700

Direct democracy online

This is in reference to “Voter ID laws hurting our democracy.” In ancient Greece there was direct democracy. All the people of Athens gathered into the great hall and voted on issues before them. As countries grew from small city-states into massive entities this sort of direct democracy became impossible.

The Internet has now brought us full circle.

Is California's ballot initiative process broken? Lawmakers think so.

jpritikin — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 22:46:07 -0700

California’s experiment in direct democracy – where citizens pass laws by voting on initiatives and referendums, sidestepping the legislature entirely – is facing three new reforms.

Grassroots missing from this year’s initiatives – What about last year?

jpritikin — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 07:03:12 -0700

Nearly one hundred years ago, progressives succeeded in amending the Constitution of Washington State to provide for three powers of direct democracy: The initiative, the referendum, and the recall.

The purpose of establishing these three powers was not to supplant or replace our republican form of government, but rather, to give the people a way to get the gears of representative democracy turning in case they got stuck.

Politics of Marginalised can help building stronger Human Rights Institutions (HRIs) in India

jpritikin — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 22:13:18 -0700

Majority of 1.21 billion plus population in India have been drawn immensely, through different mediums to politics, music/film, and cricket. Among the three, politics takes a centrestage and captures mind space affecting our day-to-day lives. Politics plays a significant role in the lives of the people, ultimately deciding cost of living, price of drugs, daily wages, sensex, and stock market.

Left, Right and Wrong on ‘Reform’ of Initiative Process

jpritikin — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 23:12:05 -0700

By Joe Mathews

Journalist and Irvine senior fellow at the New America Foundation, Fellow at the Center for Social Cohesion at Arizona State University and co-author of California Crackup: How Reform Broke the Golden State and How We Can Fix It (UC Press, 2010).

Mon, July 11th, 2011

The good news: reform of the initiative process is finally on the table in California. The bad news: the left and the right are getting reform wrong.

The challenges of direct democracy

jpritikin — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 22:19:08 -0700

An Actionable Plan For 9/11 Truth And Justice

jpritikin — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 18:55:31 -0700

By Senator Mike Gravel

04 July, 2011
Countercurrents.org

Beyond the 'European Dream'

jpritikin — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 02:21:31 -0700

BRUNO KAUFMANN

Today @ 09:23 CET

EUOBSERVER / COMMENT – Crisis, crisis, crisis. Once again political Europe is in the middle of an institutional turmoil. The possible default in Greece, bye-bye to Schengen and a European Summit with clueless leaders. And in the Guardian Martin Kettles offers the results of more than sixty years of the integration process: 'The nationalist right and the global markets have won. The internationalist social and Christian democrats have lost'.

Making Direct Democracy More Deliberative

jpritikin — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 09:30:04 -0700

by James Fishkin

California has long led the nation in trying to involve the public directly in the making of laws – this year marks the 100th anniversary of California’s initiative process. Ever since that signature Progressive Era reform, the state has been the heartland of the nation’s political experimentation.

Is it time to reform California’s initiative system?

jpritikin — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 02:10:52 -0700

This year marks the 100th anniversary of direct democracy in California, which is made up of the initiative, the referendum and the recall. The most famous recall in recent memory is when Arnold Schwarzenegger replaced Gov. Gray Davis in 2003. Referendums are used occasionally to repeal unpopular laws the Legislature has passed. But the initiative is the real prize, with citizen measures showing up on the ballot each election.

Direct Democracy in Italy

jpritikin — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 02:05:48 -0700

Direct democracy may not always be the best—or paradoxically even the most democratic—form of government, but sometimes it’s a great breath of fresh air. On June 12–13 Italians voted “yes” on four referendums in a resounding defeat for the Berlusconi government. It came just two weeks after the center-right was roundly voted down in municipal elections across Italy, and was a blow that even some of Berlusconi’s own colleagues think the prime minister cannot survive. But it was more than that.

Lawmakers must focus on will of the people

jpritikin — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 18:38:34 -0700

The elections of fall 2010 are over, and the new members of Congress have been in their seats since January. Nevertheless, it still appears that there are openly hostile relations between various members of Congress and the two political parties as a whole. This comes at the expense of the great citizens of this fine country, who want and need to be more involved with the decision making of our nation, above and beyond merely voting for those who will make all of the decisions, which is very little power indeed.

Direct Balloting Can't Be a Panacea for Democracy's Ills

jpritikin — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 18:19:45 -0700

I have studied direct democracy for years, but I was still unprepared to encounter at a conference last year the anger and alienation of American activists who rely heavily on California’s initiative and referendum process. They loved direct democracy, as I would have expected, but what shocked me was that this love stemmed from their total disenchantment with the institutions of representative democracy. This worried me.

This worried me a lot.

Shyam Ponappa: The challenges of direct democracy

India must weigh the pros and cons of various approaches to direct democracy and develop one of its own

NI4D News

From Dictatorship to Democracy 2.0

Direct Democracy as a Safeguard to Limit Public Spending

The Deliberative Initiative: Returning Direct Democracy to the People

Ten Steps for Radical Revolution in USA

Ten Steps for Radical Revolution in USA

Congress, you’re Fired

Capitalism in crisis

Laying Waste to the Usual Objections About Democracy: Demagogues

Econ professor to run for president

Here’s why we’re fighting

Canada and Sweden Provide Model for Economic Growth

The Occupy movement has just begun

The Establishment Left, Electoral Politics and the Revolution of 2012

Top 12 trends 2012

Occupy protesters epitomize democracy

Shannah Sexton: Direct democracy might be next step

Keiser Report – Cameron & Osborne on the Run

Movement right to stress democracy

We The People Have A Tough Responsibility: Use Direct Democracy To Change Our Corrupt Government

Citizens 9/11 Commission - A Ballot Initiative

A Framing Memo for Occupy Wall Street

Opinion: Direct democracy a crucial tool in protecting animals

Consensus Is What Direct Democracy Looks Like

By Evan O'Neil

Do We Need Politicians, Or Can We Cut Out the Middleman?

American Politicians Are Bought and Paid For

Alert: American Autumn Threatened

How to Fix California’s Democracy Crisis

Occupy Wall Street: A Blank Slate?

Democracy means governance through the people

Occupy Wall Street in Boston

Wieland, Or The Transformation: An American Tale by Charles Brockden Brown

By Daniel O'Leary

Wieland, Or The Transformation: An American Tale by Charles Brockden Brown

I Hear Voices … Two Centuries Old

Heed the Will Of the People

An Actionable Plan for 9/11 Truth

An Actionable Plan for 9/11 Truth

This is not remotely initiative ‘reform’

Direct democracy for a better nation

Viewpoints: Celebrate our initiative process by improving its transparency

Viewpoints: Celebrate our initiative process by improving its transparency

By Kim Alexander Special to The Bee

Big Businesses Back Ballot Initiatives in Upcoming Elections

US congress has been 'dysfunctional for a long time'

Relax. Here are three easy ways to fix Congress

Direct democracy online

Direct democracy online

Is California's ballot initiative process broken? Lawmakers think so.

Grassroots missing from this year’s initiatives – What about last year?

Politics of Marginalised can help building stronger Human Rights Institutions (HRIs) in India

Left, Right and Wrong on ‘Reform’ of Initiative Process

The challenges of direct democracy

An Actionable Plan For 9/11 Truth And Justice

Beyond the 'European Dream'

Making Direct Democracy More Deliberative

Is it time to reform California’s initiative system?

Direct Democracy in Italy

Lawmakers must focus on will of the people

Direct Balloting Can't Be a Panacea for Democracy's Ills

Wieland, Or The Transformation:
An American Tale by Charles Brockden Brown

By Kim Alexander
Special to The Bee