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  • Democracy isn't working: five ideas that are already helping to fix the problem

    June 10, 2020 |

    The Correspondent |

    Text |

    Over 3000 Words

    Response Location: Kenya

    Communities around the world are increasing citizen participation in political decision-making in innovative ways. Participatory budgets allow locals to decide how cities spend money and in some Kenyan cities this has successfully engaged marginalized communities. Citizens’ Initiative Reviews in Oregon and Representative Population Samples in Brazil have allowed the public to weigh in on important policies. In Taiwan, citizen-led digital participation platforms helped to control the coronavirus and avoid major shutdowns. These alternatives require funding and public trust, both of which can be hard to get.

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  • Out Of The Ruins

    June 07, 2020 |

    All Hands On |

    Documentary |

    Over 15 Minutes

    Response Location: Greece

    Protests against severe “austerity measures” that were passed after the 2011 economic recession resulted in worker and housing cooperatives to address labor and housing inequities. Citizens protested by gathering in public squares and holding rallies where speakers were randomly selected from the crowd. This is based on an ancient democratic process where citizens are selected at random to speak their mind in regards to politics and public affairs. The organizations that emerged practiced participatory democracy through horizontal leadership, though many were eventually shut down by the government.

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  • An Athenian remedy: the rise, fall and possible rebirth of democracy

    October 16, 2019 |

    The Correspondent |

    Text |

    1500-3000 Words

    Response Location: Greece

    Citizens’ assemblies, which allow for mass participation in political debates and decision-making with a lottery system to select speakers, are increasingly being used to overcome issues such as corruption and the unwillingness by incumbent politicians to address controversial issues. Many countries now use citizens’ assemblies, including Ireland who used one in 2017 to push forward a debate and decision on its abortion ban after decades of political deadlock. Citizens’ assemblies do face challenges, including being dismantled by ruling politicians who feel they challenge incumbent power.

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  • When Citizens Assemble

    December 10, 2017 |

    A Government By Us |

    Documentary |

    Over 15 Minutes

    Response Location: Ireland

    Ireland held a citizens’ assembly to discuss the country’s contentious abortion laws and demonstrated the potential of such democracy-building initiatives. A random selection of participants gathered over five weekends and formulated recommendations after hours of respectful, fact-based discussion.

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  • The people trying to save democracy from itself

    July 02, 2016 |

    The Guardian |

    Text |

    1500-3000 Words

    Response Location: United States, Portland, Oregon

    Low voter turnouts, populists offering half-truths, corporate interests, and the blurring of facts in the media are signs that democracy around the world is in turmoil. Internationally, citizens have assembled different programs and initiatives that arm ordinary people with information about policy and their elected officials, as well as distinctive ways to reform the electoral system.

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