It should not surprise anyone to realise that adoption of a powerful new technology will throw existing ways of conducting communal affairs into question; because so did the introduction of the printing press (which facilitated the Reformation and the Enlightenment) and the advent of powered machines (which led to the Industrial Revolution). Both innovations saw the creation of new forms of socio-economic organisation in their wake. It is now time for political parties to come to grips with the digital age and it’s implications for citizens.
Today, in the context of potential nuclear warfare and depredation of natural systems, we are still only beginning to come to terms with the revolutionary impact of the digital age. Unlike earlier innovations, the new technology yields much of its benefits (and its perils) at the behest of individuals from every class and background, rather than being overwhelmingly mediated by corporate interests and the state. Citizens are no longer passive recipients of information but increasingly expect to play an active part in its creation and exchange. At present, there are few, if any, effective, systemic constraints on those who irresponsibly use this powerful new technology to pursue anti-democratic ends.
For the common good, new ways need to be developed to manage this novel situation.
Fresh political institutions have become necessary in order to fruitfully engage citizens in the creation of a reformed civil society: that is to say one formed of a populace which is enabled to be fully capable of constructively influencing both general public policies and particular public actions: the former being further refined by way of Parliament and the latter progressed by way of civic or voluntary bodies.
This requirement could be met by forming constituency trusts (for which no extra legislation is needed).
What are Constituency Trusts?
Constituency Trusts are self-governing, local organisations run by electors, their current and aspiring representatives and political activists of a parliamentary constituency. They are dedicated to encouraging and enabling citizens to fulfil their civic obligation to engage with current national/international issues in a constructive all-party-and-non manner.
They operate by:
- Acquiring, verifying and alerting constituents to information;
- Scrutinising how public affairs are being conducted and calling-out malign influences;
- Disseminating information throughout the constituency, then explaining and providing opportunities to question and discuss it, using such means and methods as locally thought appropriate;
- Collating and publishing responses expressed by constituents;
- Ensuring the whole range of insights and opinions expressed are conveyed to the constituency’s elected representatives, to appropriate local organisations, and to the public media.
In short, they create the missing, self-regulating link between individuals and the democratic state.
It is in politicians interest to support their constituents
But why should political parties (‘good’ or not) come to the aid of the people? The short answer is that, as bodies supporting current and aspiring elected representatives of the people, it is in their interest to do so. Aside from the occasional rogue element, they do strive, often beyond the call of duty, to do their best to support decision making in the best interests of the populace as a whole. However, the systems within which they work, require scrutiny and reform to take account of developments in the wider world. If not, then strains are bound to appear.
Constituency Trusts could aid desirable reforms in a structured and cooperative way, for example, by:
- Decision makers hearing from a broad cross-section of the electorate, not just organised interests, with Individual citizens sharing insights from their workplaces, neighbourhoods and networks;
- Policies backed by informed consent being more likely to succeed in practice;
- Enabling the direction of Society’s ‘moral compass’ to be monitored;
- Providing opportunities for aspiring politicians to acquire and display competence and integrity.
And last but not least, Constituency Trusts could provide a trustworthy public space for everyone in a constituency to grapple with the implications of the digital revolution and artificial intelligence.
Further explanation may be found at Constituency trusts – a good idea or not?
