<div>Hi James</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Great to see this research work going on. One of the decisions last Saturday at the PA Movement Building meeting was to start a "PA politics and economics" working group to develop ideas together. Maybe you could post the stuff on the Wiki page we've set up as a bit of historical background to inform the development of our draft principles ? Let me know what you think - would be great to have you in the team. Also everyone else welcome to put forward their interest in this, or any of the other working groups coming out of last Saturday's meeting. Minutes to follow, and here are a list of tsome of the PA working groups (all are welcome to join any of them) set up and to some extent already operating so far: </div>
<div> </div>
<div>(1) PA Politics and Economics (developing hallmarks, guidelines, principles of PAs and putting them out for endorsement to other groups)</div>
<div> </div>
<div>(2) PA Website (developing <a href="http://www.peoplesassemblies.org/" target="_blank">www.peoplesassemblies.org</a> into a fab resource showing PAs going on all over the world, continent and UK. Listed by politics, themes, links to actions. And to work colloboratively to develop their politics. And to publicise direct actions and future PA movement building events. And to host forums. And to improve comms across different PAs. Etc etc.)</div>
<div> </div>
<div>(3) PA Dual Power (see below) </div>
<div>Operation Dual Power<br>Callout for<br>Working Group on Building People’s Assemblies<br>Meeting to launch Operation Dual Power<br>Sat Jan 8/Sun Jan 9, 3 to 6 p.m. both days, prompt start please<br>St Martin’s Community Centre, 43 Carol St NW1 0HT<br>
<a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=NW1%200HT">http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=NW1%200HT</a><br>close to Camden Town tube, hot drinks and food available<br> <br>The TUC are calling a huge march for Sat March 26, <br>
March for the Alternative<br><a href="http://www.tuc.org.uk/theme/index.cfm?theme=alltogether">http://www.tuc.org.uk/theme/index.cfm?theme=alltogether</a><br>But what is the alternative? <br>We doubt the TUC bureaucrats have much idea, but the people who have been in direct action on the streets at Millbank, in Vodaphone and Topshop, in uni and college occupations, against tuition fee rises and the EMA cuts, and local government cuts at Town Halls across the country – they have the right idea!<br>
We need to seize the spaces where people can gather into direct democracy decision-making bodies – People’s Assemblies. We need to challenge the legitimacy of this feeble and hated Con-Dem government by establishing alternative sovereignty in as many key locations as possible.<br>
We think by March 26, with the galvanic student movement, and the looming Eurozone crisis, a strong majority of rank-and-file trade unionists will NOT be satisfied by a march from A to B, or footprints going round in circles, as the TUC march logo has it! <br>
We propose a map of direct action targets for March 26 (media, education, local and national govt buildings, bank branches, courts, police stations, libraries) to be seized and occupied as seats of the sovereign populace, including any places, space or agencies that should be held accountable to their local communities. We, the people, should be making the decisions about how to share our commonwealth. <br>
Email contact: <a href="mailto:Meltdown2017@gmail.com">Meltdown2017@gmail.com</a><br>This is a working group of <a href="http://peoplesassemblies.org">peoplesassemblies.org</a> </div>
<div> </div>
<div>(4) PA facilitation skills (training etc) - still being worked out</div>
<div> </div>
<div>(5) Some others but I need to go back to the Minutes but I can't now as am at work!<br></div>
<div class="gmail_quote">(6) Here's some Feedback on Dec 11:</div>
<div class="gmail_quote">Sent: 15 December 2010 12:22<br>To: <a href="mailto:info@aworldtowin.net" target="_blank">info@aworldtowin.net</a><br>Subject: Peoples Asemblies meeting <br>Thank you for the opportunity to attend the meeting on Saturday at Birkbeck. I had to leave at the strat of the third session on Action Planning but will be interested to hear of the decisions made in the minutes.<br>
I would also like to thank (I think Mark - but not sure) the guy who introduced the meeting and his attempt to create some structure to the proceedings. I think it would have been very difficult if some preparatory work had not been done. I think he got the balance right in trying not to overstep the mark in being too directional for a democratic event.<br>
I think I came away from the meeting a bit confused. Given the amount of time this had been on the horizon, it seemed to me that things are likely to happen too fast for such a meeting/central body to respond to. <br>The focus of the body would be better served to facilitate the various oppositional groups and Peoples Assemblies around the country, using the website to spread information about 'events', demo's etc. Also to be aplace to go to to find out information/advice about the legality/illegality of various types of action (e.g. picketing by non-union members or even people not employed by an organisation in support of a strike; how to get a referendum on council cuts etc etc)<br>
In the Italian revolution against Austrian control, Carlo Pisacane criticised Mazzini and the National Committee for acting like an alternative government and pretending it had authority over the local revolutionary committees. Its purpose instead should have been to organise the spread of propaganda, co-ordinate the different groups, facilitate local actions, fund where possible those actions considered to have the potential for success (Carlo Pisacane 'La Rivoluzione'). I feel that is the direction Peoples Assemblies should take. Each locality will have its own and take its own action, the centre will publicise and increase the support and co-ordinate action ewhere this would increase leverage. Itshould (as agreed on Saturday) be entirely inclusive.<br>
<br>Richard Roberts<br>HUNTINGDON</div>
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<div class="gmail_quote">On 15 December 2010 18:48, james armstrong <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:james36armstrong@hotmail.com" target="_blank">james36armstrong@hotmail.com</a>></span> wrote:<br>
<blockquote style="BORDER-LEFT: #ccc 1px solid; MARGIN: 0px 0px 0px 0.8ex; PADDING-LEFT: 1ex" class="gmail_quote">
<div>Great work Alison,<br>I have downloaded the draft cabinet manual- It is 144 pages long. <br>When I first read it I was looking for "The People" in this blue-print for a 'democracy' and 'the people' virtually dont figure!<br>
and certianly not 'the Soveriegn people' Can someone tell me how to convert to a word document as I want to compress it before printing it.? IN Athens 'the People' (demes) were explicitly sovereign. <br>
James <br>In themeantime I have been swatting up on the Athenian democracy (also flawed (men only and pro-slavery) <br>but it is a starting point for reform.<br>Here are some questions raised. As an aid to our self-education here are some extracts :-<br>
<p class="MsoNormal">Cleisthenes re-organised the Athenian citizenry into ten tribes,<span> </span>breaking down the tribal loyalties among the aristocrats which had been making life difficult for ordinary people,.each tribe chose by lot, fifty councilors to serve on the boule (council of 500) and one strategos (general) .</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span> </span>The strategos<span> </span>also had political influence and could summon the assembly and address it before anyone else could speak.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span> </span>The term of the strategos was one year long, but it could be renewed and often was at<span> </span>the next election.<span> </span>The Persian wars suggested to the Athenians that<span> </span>the job of strategos was the<span> </span>really significant one, and that it would be a safe democratic measure to begin selecting the archons by lot.<span> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Combined with<span> </span>terms of a single<span> </span>year, the<span> </span>use of the lot to select officials was<span> </span>to become one of the most important devices by which the Athenians blocked the development<span> </span>of a self-interested political elite. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A check on individual ambition was also provided by the curious procedure known as ostracism. – this was a ballot to decide whether any citizen should be banished to preserve order in the state.<span> </span>The man with the most votes against<span> </span>was compelled to leave the state or ten years.<span> </span>He was not accused of any crime and after the period he could return and take up his rights. By this inverse popularity contest the Athenians sought to<span> </span>prevent<span> </span>tyranny<span> </span>and provided redress other than civil war.<span> </span>For those occasions when two or more men locked horns<span> </span>over the best policy for the state.<span> </span>The Athenians could recall someone before the term was up. ………… Thucydides trs Walter Blanco (Intro) </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><span> </span><span> </span>Questions arising from “Thucydides and <span> </span>Alfred Zimmern’s` book, <span> </span>”The Greek Commonwealth”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><span> </span>(Topics that need consideration) <span> </span>What light <span> </span>does Zimmern’s work throw on the questions-</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><span>-<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">What are the failings of </span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">UK</span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">’s parliamentary democracy in 2010?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><span>n<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">What were the failings of<span> </span>Athenian democracy 410?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><span>-<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">What insights can we gather<span> </span>from Zimmern’s book?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><span>-<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">What other arrangements are required<span> </span>for designing a democracy<span> </span>suitable for the future of </span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">UK</span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"> and the world?<span> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Some points to consider </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><span>1<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">How was democracy introduced into </span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Athens</span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"> and<span> </span>how can we introduce D in </span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">UK</span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><span>2<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">We note<span> </span>Z’s <span> </span>warning against sham democracy<span> </span>“It is foolish to think that occasionally voting is D”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><span>3<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span></b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">How did<span> </span>Cleisthenes (C) overcome resistance?<span> </span>How benefit from existing structures? How introduce change?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><span>4<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span></b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Note the <span> </span>use of invented myths and religion<span> </span>and loyalties.<span> </span>Huge effort went into designing<span> </span>a structure of associations , etc <span> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><span>5<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span></b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Dividing into small sub committees , And selection of eligible candidates by lottery answers the<span> </span>charge that<span> </span>a huge gathering will bring chaos.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><span>6<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span></b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Existing structures were left in position by C.where they did not interfere with the new, but they were left to wither.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><span>7<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span></b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Centralisation was important </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><span>8<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span></b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The whole process took time – 100 years? </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><span>9<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span></b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><span> </span>People like associating, and<span> </span>C used this to his advantage.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><span>10<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span></b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The ‘deme’ was made powerful when it raised taxes</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><span>11<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span></b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The local demes supplied manpower for central government jobs. Work, not voting was at the heart of the D system<span> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><span>12<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span></b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Local deme’s <span> </span>sent a<span> </span>local mayor to be<span> </span>part of the central council .</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><span>13<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span></b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">There is a huge potential in this system for<span> </span>removing class differences and privilege</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><span>14<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span></b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Where does the present monopoly of <span> </span>land ownership in </span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">UK</span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"> fit in to the new system? <span> </span>Does it negate democracy? <span> </span>And how to end it?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><span>15<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span></b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The principle which justifies amateurs in parliament is that knowledge of the people is the key requirement not knowledge of law nor of knowledge of <span> </span>facts.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><span>16<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span></b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The people is sovereign so no room for monarchy but welcome for ex royalty as<span> </span>people.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><span>17<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span></b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The concept of royalty and then its hangers on , immediately makes a class system with divisions and also<span> </span>anti democratic<span> </span>from the top down</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><span>18<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span></b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Athens</span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"> had no permanent civil service.<span> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><span>19<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span></b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Does a<span> </span>geographically dispersed and large 61million population preclude democracy?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><span>20<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span></b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">What overseas dependencies should be shed as impairing other<span> </span>states’ democratic rights?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><span>21<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span></b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">How do we democratise <span> </span>(away) war?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><span>22<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span></b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><span> </span>We <span> </span>note that choosing judges by lottery from amongst elected candidates was<span> </span>the system </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><span>23<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span></b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">We note the insight that most citizens don’t want to give up their time to government (Which implies that finding the number of people to attend is as much the problem as reducing the<span> </span>number wanting to attend and govern.)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><span>24<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span></b><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The<span> </span>Assembly met in the open air. Without hardship there is an opportunity to free the national assembly from association with just one location and from<span> </span>association with </span></b><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">London</span></b><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"> and to<span> </span>re- use ancient moot sites. </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><span>25<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span></b><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Meeting<span> </span>of the assembly<span> </span>sanctifies the<span> </span>sites and re-establishes reverence for the land. </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><span> </span><span> </span>Note No. 10,<span> </span></span></b><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Downing Street</span></b><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">, (gasp)<span> </span></span></b><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Palace</span></b><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"> of </span></b><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Westminster</span></b><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">, Big Ben, Buckingham palace, the Cenotaph,</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><span> </span>(holy ,holy , holy) Parliament Square…</span></b><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Whitehall</span></b><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">, changing the Guards….</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><span>26<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span></b><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Monarchy devalues<span> </span>self government and devalues ‘people’ and rivals the sovereign people .</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><span>27<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span></b><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">We note the persevering Roman precedent<span> </span>S.P.Q.R.<span> </span>Senatus and Populus Quirinale ( District of )<span> </span></span></b><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Romulus</span></b><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><span>28<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span></b><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Democracy poses a challenge to<span> </span>education it can motivate learners as they<span> </span>strive to be worthy of government<span> </span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><span>29<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span></b><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Which practices in the </span></b><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">UK</span></b><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"> parliament follow the precedent of Athenian democracy ?</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><span>30<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span></b><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">How far do slavery,<span> </span>the exclusion of women and<span> </span>endemic savage warmongering negate Athenian Democracy?</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><span>31<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span></b><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Which present practices of the </span></b><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">UK</span></b><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"> parliament<span> </span>improve Athenian D?</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><span>32<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span></b><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Which<span> </span>present </span></b><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">UK</span></b><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"> D<span> </span>practices are more suitable /necessary to the needs of a post industrial </span></b><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">UK</span></b><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"> society? </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><span>33<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span></b><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">What are the dangers of not progressing<span> </span>D to meet present /future human rights, in </span></b><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">UK</span></b><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"> and world-wide.<span> </span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><span>34<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span></b><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Can Parliament be persuaded by<span> </span>good sense and utility<span> </span>or by the people’s actions to<span> </span>constitution reform?</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><span>35<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span></b><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">How urgently<span> </span>can we use </span></b><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">UK</span></b><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"> people sovereignty to spread people sovereignty world-wide to bring peace?<span> </span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Reading List<span> </span>A. </span></b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Zimmern<span> </span>The </span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Greek</span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"> </span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Commonwealth</span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><span> </span></span></b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Thucydides The Peloponnesian War</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><span> </span><span> </span>The Old Oligarch,<span> </span>The Constitution of Athenians</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>K Mackenzie The English Parliament </span></b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Ariel; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">(see Chapter End References )<span> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span> </span></p> <br><br><br>> Date: Wed, 15 Dec 2010 16:25:01 +0000<br>> From: <a href="mailto:alisonbanville@yahoo.co.uk" target="_blank">alisonbanville@yahoo.co.uk</a><br>> Subject: [Dem-Village] we the people<br>
> To: <a href="mailto:peopleincommon@lists.riseup.net" target="_blank">peopleincommon@lists.riseup.net</a>; <a href="mailto:democracyvillage@googlegroups.com" target="_blank">democracyvillage@googlegroups.com</a>; <a href="mailto:project2012@googlegroups.com" target="_blank">project2012@googlegroups.com</a><br>
> <br>> in case anyone missed this yesterday:<br>> <br>> <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/libertycentral/2010/dec/14/gus-o-donnell-cabinet-manual-constitution" target="_blank">http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/libertycentral/2010/dec/14/gus-o-donnell-cabinet-manual-constitution</a><br>
> <br>> <br>> The cabinet secretary, Gus O'Donnell, has just issued a 150-page draftcabinet <br>> manual that sets out how we are governed, and is being widely hailed as the <br>> foundation for a codified constitution. Although an unelected mandarin, he took <br>
> it upon himself to give an interview in advance to the Telegraph and told them: <br>> "I think those who are in favour of a written constitution will start with it … <br>> It has never existed before; we've been waiting decades and decades for this."<br>
> Really? Let's put that little "we" on hold for a moment.<br>> The document is not in any way a draft of a democratic constitution. It is a <br>> manual for British dictatorship. It is quite open about this. It states: "It is <br>
> written from the perspective of the executive branch of government". It adds: <br>> "It is not intended to have any legal effect or set issues in stone. It is <br>> intended to guide, not to direct." In plain language, we can change it whenever <br>
> we think it is best and it sets out how the executive can get away with whatever <br>> it can get away with.<br>> The manual opens with what in any constitutional democracy would be a lie and in <br>> our second-rate version is arguably false as well as an outrage. This is how it <br>
> sees Britain:<br>> "The UK is a parliamentary democracy which has a constitutional sovereign as <br>> Head of State; a sovereign parliament, which is supreme to all other government <br>> institutions, consisting of the Sovereign, the House of Commons and the House of <br>
> Lords, an Executive drawn from and accountable to Parliament, and an independent <br>> judiciary."<br>> There is no mention of the rule of law. The judges are independent but <br>> parliament is supreme, meaning above the law, meaning it has the powers of, <br>
> sorry to have to repeat the word, dictatorship. Once they could have got away <br>> with this formulation easily. Now it is harder, as someone slipped up and <br>> drafted the Constitutional Reform Act of 2005which was passed by a sleepy <br>
> parliament. Part 1 asserts that nothing in it overturns "The existing <br>> constitutional principle of the rule of law".<br>> A constitutional principle – no less. But thanks to O'Donnell's old-fashioned <br>
> legerdemain, like all good principles it has disappeared.<br>> As for the actual section on ministers and the law, it states, "Ministers must <br>> act lawfully in taking decisions". Doesn't that make you feel proud? Have you <br>
> ever seen a job description that felt it necessary to stipulate that you had to <br>> "act lawfully"? What then follows is a high-class villain's charter, a guide for <br>> the executive as to how, as they say, to stay on the right side of the law <br>
> (where they have failed to change it).<br>> I could go on: it sets out in clauses 122 and 123 how "The Prime Minister is <br>> responsible for the overall organisation of the Government … and departments do <br>
> not have their own legal personality". This means that departments of state can <br>> be split, merged, reorganised, renamed, without any say by parliament (which is <br>> how, under Lord Mandelson, universities were snicked out of education and into <br>
> business).<br>> The section on ministers and parliament similarly is a guide for how to manage <br>> parliament. Clause 205 is a classic: "Ministers should consider publishing bills <br>> in draft for pre-legislative scrutiny, where it is appropriate to do so", like <br>
> whenever.<br>> There is nothing on ministers and the public. There is no sense whatsoever that <br>> "the executive branch" which includes the elected government has any duty or <br>> obligations towards the people.<br>
> So what's going on? Why has this outrage been published to the lone handclaps <br>> from the few remnants and detritus of the great and good still standing, like <br>> Peter Hennessy and Robert Hazell?<br>> When O'Donnell's most outstanding predecessor Robin Butler was head of the civil <br>
> service he was asked what the British constitution was and he answered, "It is <br>> something we make up as we go along". There is that mandarin 'we". It isn't you, <br>> and I or even readers of the Daily Mail, for whom I have the greatest respect, <br>
> who "make it up". No, it is them. It belongs to them and they made it up. But to <br>> get away with it meant not shining light on the fact.<br>> Then along came John Smith, who as leader of the Labour party committed it to a <br>
> "new constitutional settlement". Smith died, Blair succeeded him and under him <br>> dramatic changes, parliaments, the Human Rights Act, freedom of information, <br>> were rammed through and the old constitution was broken. Along comes Gordon <br>
> Brown, who had advised Smith, and declares we need to renew trust. Privately, he <br>> wanted to be "father of Britain" with a written constitution as his crowning <br>> achievement. But the original idea for this, that went back to Charter 88, was <br>
> to create a democratic settlement, to turn subjects into citizens, to vest <br>> sovereignty in "we the people" with an open process akin to South Africa's (and <br>> polls always show around 70% support for a democratic constitution – although <br>
> wisely few look to the powers that be to permit one).<br>> But any attempt to trust the people, as opposed to bankers, and launch an open <br>> process withered away. In his last, gasping days of office, Brown instructed Gus <br>
> O'Donnell to write down what we had, hoping the lure of a written (non) <br>> constitution would win the vote of an eccentric or two. Here is the result, the <br>> last steaming dump of Labour's lost opportunity.<br>
> Amusingly, Democratic Audit had already set out the status quo in writing when <br>> it published "The Unspoken Constitution". The idea was to expose how Britain is <br>> actually run thereby shaming people into change. It's open words were "We, the <br>
> elite". It was meant as a joke. Ha bloody ha. We, that is to say we would-be <br>> citizens of this country, have not, repeat not, been "waiting decades" for this.<br>> <br>> <br>> <br>> <br>
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<p>"We hear men speaking for us of new laws strong and sweet /Yet is there no man speaketh as we speak in the street.” <br></p><br>