A Return to Democracy and a Return to Community: The Modern Democracy Amendments and the Modern Federalist Amendments
Presented here is Text of the Proposed Amendments to the U.S. Constitution
Full argumentation in a format similar to that of
James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay's
The Federalist Papers
Available separately from the author
Try it out
5 comments
William WAUGH • about 13 years ago
Submitter, you might want to consider also proposing these amendments at http://articlev.org/oxwall/ ; form a "group" for each proposed amendment.
David Lempert • about 13 years ago
Thank you, William W. You are welcome to start a support group for the amendments, recognizing that they are in two sets: one for a "Return to Democracy" (individual rights and powers) and one for a "Return to Community" (federalism, based on community rights and powers) as in our original constitution when we were a small, agricultural country of immigrant (and Native Peoples) communities. Democracy works as a system of rights, powers and procedures. These amendments -- one set restoring individual citizen oversight, powers for institutional accountability, individual political equality, and rule of law and a second set protecting community through community rights and powers -- restore those balances that were achieved in the original U.S. constitution but before the industrial revolution (and growth of institutions and government) distorted the original mechanisms and balances. This site only presents the text of the amendments. The full argument for them is in a set of essays like the Federalist Papers, explaining how each amendment works, how it fits with the other amendments and how it restores the balances of democracy and community that were originally envisioned in the constitution while also protecting modern concepts of individual rights, equality and community.
William Ferrall • about 13 years ago
We certainly agree on 'distorted mechanisms', but I have to say these proposals look like an exponential bureaucracy which doesn't address the cause of the many symptoms we face(see Ignored Integral).
David Lempert • about 13 years ago
Thank you, William F. I appreciate your taking the time to consider my approach to reinvigorate the mechanisms of the Founding Fathers through reliance on juries and direct citizen mechanisms of all kinds as the most effective approach to direct democracy. I agree with the Founding Fathers (and Mothers) that voting could easily become manipulated by media appeals and that it is a shallow form of democratic engagement unlike other mechanisms such as juries, individual access to media and empowering private actions in the courts. That is why I think the approach of referenda and tele-democracy can reinforce the problems we have now if they are not balanced by more direct participatory and empowering mechanisms. Jury (citizen panel) approaches are actually the exact opposite of bureaucracy because it is citizens who participate themselves, not a class of hired officials who become self interested and detached from citizens. These amendments allow citizens direct oversight of public and private bureaucracies that is now lacking (the oversight now is weak and indirect through Congress and is failing) and increases citizen powers to hold these bureaucracies accountable (private attorney general lawsuits and equal access to media that are both now lacking). I welcome more discussions with you over these proposals and hope you will be able to see the full presentation of how they work. In the spirit of this contest, let's try to be positive now and find the good in each other's work wo that we can cooperatively and constructively improve democracy together. I welcome more discussions with you, privately, or in other forums that perhaps will emerge after this contest.
William Ferrall • about 13 years ago
Apologies for the delay; my 'net access limited.
I expect we could have some excellent debates, & I'd be interested in your reaction to the following:
Imagine your propsals serving as part of a gradual implementation for an increasingly comprehensive national Initiative & Referendum process?