[Campaignforrealdemocracy] updated draft statement

[james holland]

hi there, good meeting last night, i've redrafted the CRD statement 
based on our discussions. i want to flag up one element particularly. 
Although in the CRD meetings we will discuss (perhaps endlessley!) 
details and ideas about different ways of arranging and structuring 
society the bulk of the practical benefit of real democracy will occur 
very quickly and easily by communities simply deciding that they want to 
take responsibility - all the rest is, albeit enjoyable and useful, 
academic speculation!

anyway - here's the redrafted statement


- current systems labelled 'democratic' are anything but
- real democracy means everyone having an equal say about what happens 
and being empowered to enact these decisions
- the CRD will not dictate the structures or character of 'real 
democracy' it will simply encourage communities to take responsibility 
and be a forum for people to discuss potential structures / ways forward
- the bulk of the benefit of real democracy will occur very quickly and 
easily by communities simply deciding that they want to take 
responsibility themselves, whatever structure they eventually decide on.
- however, real democracy means, at the minimum, completely open 
community based decision making run broadly on consensus principles 
being the primary unit of administration


a few notes

Although these units will be the primary unit there's no reason why 
other structures can't continue to exist while they continue to provide 
useful services. communities could equally decide to create other 
structures.
what is a community - communities define themselves and can be virtual 
as well as real, people can be part of many communities but it is up to 
communities themselves how they define membership and what rights 
different kinds of members might have (e.g. only residents have a right 
to block proposals). However, The CRD will focus on helping small 
geographical based communities where there are disputes between members 
of the community and current governing institutions to define 
themselves, increase participation / legitimacy use that to resist 
unwelcome activity and take positive actions for the benefit of the 
communities.
Real communities are rarely described by political boundaries (councils, 
wards etc) they are more often based around high streets and in fact 
postal districts, which were established around real communities.