Democracy is dead, long lives democracy
Viva la revolution or vote for life
Here we are. Summer is over and so is the series “Democracy is Dead”. Ok, maybe summer isn’t over yet and maybe democracy is not dead. You’ll find out when you read this newsletter. At least about democracy. If you want to know if it is still summer, look out the window.
In the last four newsletters, I described why our democratic systems are dead. You can read them here. In this one, I describe how democracy can survive and how it can help mankind survive by fighting the climate crisis.
What is the goal?
First, we have to define what an ideal democracy should do. Well, not die. This is an excellent goal for democracy and life, but we need to be more specific, I think.
In a living democracy, anyone who is intellectually and physically capable should be able to participate. The system has to be designed so that a broad majority of the people are doing so.
The people in charge should not think in legislature periods and about reelections. Laws and politics always must have long-term goals in mind and not forget the short time consequences.
Everyone must be free to live the life he/she wants. Rules are the guarantee that everyone can do so.
How to reach the goal?
As I have already said multiple times in this series. Education is the base for a functioning democracy. Anyone must get the best education possible. Each child's strengths and weaknesses need to be considered.
Media must be free. Rules have to ensure that individuals don’t have too much power over information. Public media is essential for democracy, but it may not be influenced by politicians. Transparency is key.
Social media has to be liable for the things that get posted on the platforms. Also, transparency is key. Everyone has the right to know, what happens with his data. And since social media only works as a monopoly, it may not be in private hands.
Everyone who lives in a place must have the right to participate in democracy.
Democracy does not equal elections. Drawn councils and technocrats are a vital part of an ideal democracy. Decisions have to be transparent, and the people must have the possibility to overrule them.
Can democracy fight the climate crisis?
Short answer: yes. A democratic system based on well-educated people, giving politicians and drawn councils the possibility to make forward-thinking but maybe unpopular decisions, supported by the media, can win the fight.
Is it realistic?
Yes and no.
Many things have changed. Now, no normal-thinking politician can deny climate change is man-made. Thanks to the pressure of the people demonstrating on the streets, working in NGOs, or science, every political party has to put climate policies in their program. The media is reporting more and more about climate change.
But it’s too slow. Powerful people from the fossil industry are fighting the already weak policies and laws. People are scared because of disinformation. And change usually does not happen voluntarily.
Democracy can fight the climate crisis. But it needs a revolution for it to do so. This is nothing to be scared of. A revolution can be peaceful and empowering.
And democracy needs the people. Sometimes we forget, but we are the ones in power. So let us take the power and safe democracy.
We need you.
Demonstrate, support petitions, and vote. Right now, elections are the most powerful tool we have. So use it and vote for parties that are really fighting climate change. And don’t be scared to vote for small parties, if their policies represent your views.
It might be a scary time to live in, with all the crises and our known systems failing. But be brave, you are not alone. Together we can fix it.
Thank you for reading, and please subscribe to my newsletter, so I feel not alone.
Yours sincerely,
Ian DeBay