This document discusses the challenge of balancing neighborhood democracy with representation on councils. It advocates for community-level participation that informs residents and allows discussion, but makes decisions alongside traditional methods. It acknowledges the difficulties in managing online and offline connections, paranoia, and balancing national, local and hyperlocal interests. The goal is to turn ideas of neighborhood participation into a practical governance blueprint.

1. THE CHALLENGE OF NEIGHBOURHOOD DEMOCRACY
THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY
Friday, 20 January 12

2. Government struggles with two concepts of localism
Friday, 20 January 12

3. We, The People
Friday, 20 January 12

4. We, The Council
Friday, 20 January 12

5. These aren’t incompatible ...
Friday, 20 January 12

6. ... if we get participation and representation to work together
Friday, 20 January 12

7. With neighbourhood budgeting ...
Friday, 20 January 12

8. ... and neighbourhood planning ...
Friday, 20 January 12

9. ... Government has given communities the toughest issues.
Friday, 20 January 12

10. And in referendums, the worst way to decide on them.
Friday, 20 January 12

11. We know what we want
1. Community-level participation
2. Available to as many people as want
to participate
3. That informs people of context and
data
4. Gives them opportunities to discuss
things
5. Takes positions but makes decisions
only alongside traditional methods
6. A meaningful role for councillors
Friday, 20 January 12

12. And we know some do’s and don’ts
Friday, 20 January 12

13. Don’t build a portal
Friday, 20 January 12

14. Don’t create hungry mouths
Friday, 20 January 12

15. Really don’t build a portal
Friday, 20 January 12

16. Use networks of networks
Friday, 20 January 12

17. Go where people are
Friday, 20 January 12

18. And we know the challenges
Friday, 20 January 12

19. The Bertolt Brecht Problem
“The Secretary of the Writer's Union
Had leaflets distributed in the Stalinallee
Stating that the people
Had forfeited the confidence of the government
And could win it back only
By redoubled efforts. Would it not be easier
In that case for the government
To dissolve the people
And elect another?”
Brecht, “The Solution”
Friday, 20 January 12

20. Managing online/offline connexions
Friday, 20 January 12

21. Paranoia management
Friday, 20 January 12

22. National/local/hyperlocal
Friday, 20 January 12

23. Governance
Friday, 20 January 12

24. Can we turn a fairy story into a blueprint ?
Friday, 20 January 12

25. by Anthony Zacharzewski for the Democratic Society, 2012
Friday, 20 January 12