Reflections on the Real Democracy Forum - Is Australia a Democracy? (or stop trying to ride your cat!) by J.R.Collins - member of Wednesday Action Group and Direct Democracy Not Parliamentary Rule
http://www.rulebythepeople.org/
Is Australia a Democracy? This was one of the questions raised at the Real Democracy forum held at Melb Town Hall a couple of weekends ago. Thanks to Real Democracy Australia http://realdemocracyaustralia.org/ for putting this event on.
In reflection here are a few thoughts I had since on the question of democracy:
In nearly every field of human endeavour we insist on using correct terminology so as not to cause confusion. It would only seem to be in the field of politics where this is the exception. Those (like myself) who insist on using correct definitions in this field will probably be accused of 'pedantry'. But it is not simply pedantry, because how terms are defined and how we understand things has important ramifications for us as individuals and as a society.
1. To my knowledge calling something by it's incorrect name is not a common practice. We don't, for example call a cat a horse.
2 If I own a cat but think it's a horse then this would cause more than a few problems.
3 From early childhood I am told that I live in a 'democracy' (i.e. that I have a horse). I believe it's a horse. But what if it isn't a horse? Perhaps it is in fact a cat? This would explain quite a few things, including why it won't eat hay and why I can't ride it!
This would also help to explain why 'we vote the bastards out' every few years but nothing really changes. WE ARE IN FACT TRYING TO RIDE A CAT!
according to my research there are three key components (or instruments) of democracy:
1. CITIZEN INITIATED REFERENDUMS - Giving the electorate the power to initiate and vote on things directly. This power currently exists in Switzerland* and some States in the United States and Latin America.
2. GIVING THE ELECTORATE THE POWER TO RECALL non performing politicians in between elections.
3. MANDATE. In a parliamentary system, electors give their REPRESENTATIVE a signed blank cheque to make decisions on their behalf. In a democracy, electors make decisions and then elect or appoint rotating DELEGATES under strict mandate to carry out and co-ordinate those decisions.
If Australia is in fact a 'democracy' (or even a partial one) then we would expect to find at least some of these components present. Considering that Australia has none of these components then realistically we can't call it a 'democracy'. Simply calling a cat a horse doesn't make it into one. Personally I think 'liberal oligarchy' is a much better description.
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* Four times a year Swiss citizens vote in referendums that can change their Constitution, overturn laws and create new laws. (source: Rear Vision - ABC Radio National 17/11/2010)
for interesting reading (of an academic nature) on the topic see also:
http://www.inclusivedemocracy.org/