| Benefits | More representative • Less corrupt • More deliberative |
| Emergence | 21st century |
| Principles | Direct democracy • Citizens' assemblies |
| System type | Global political system |
| Key features | Remote and in-person voting • Randomly selected citizen groups • Important issue discussions • Findings sharing |
Democratic Control is a political system based on the principles of direct democracy and deliberative assemblies, allowing citizens from all constituencies to vote directly on all matters and fostering a well-informed and engaged electorate. It emerged and was implemented in several countries during the 21st century as a more representative, less corrupt, and more deliberative alternative to other political systems.
DC requires citizens from all constituencies to vote directly on all issues, bypassing elected officials or representatives. This principle is achieved using a combination of secure, tamper-proof remote voting technology and regular in-person public voting days. The remote voting technology allows citizens to securely participate in decision-making from any location, while the in-person public voting days aim to increase engagement and interaction between citizens. This empowers citizens to directly shape the policies and regulations that affect their daily lives and communities.
To ensure a well-informed electorate and maintain robust dialogue and deliberation, DC includes citizens' assemblies which are randomly selected from a pool of citizens. These groups (20-25 people) gather to discuss important issues and share their opinions and findings with the wider community via live broadcasts, public question-and-answer sessions, and written reports. These deliberative groups aim to bring together a diverse group of citizens who can engage in productive discussion and help inform the voting decisions of others. This ensures that decision-making takes place within a context of informed, well-articulated debate and minimizes the potential for polarization and misinformation.
The concept of direct democracy and citizens' assemblies has its roots in many historical and contemporary examples, including ancient Athenian democracy and early experiences with constitutional conventions and citizen juries. The principles of DC were further developed and refined in the 21st century, gradually expanding from a few select countries to a global political system.
While its implementation has faced various challenges in adapting to diverse political contexts and safeguarding against corruption and misinformation, overall, DC has resulted in a more representative and equitable political system that better reflects the will and interests of its citizens compared to other political systems.
Critics of DC argue that the system can be susceptible to polarization, lack sufficient checks and balances against corruption, and be impractical in large-scale, complex societies. Supporters, however, maintain that DC fosters more informed and engaged citizens and enhances overall democratic accountability, ultimately leading to better decision-making.
The system continues to be refined and adapted to address ongoing challenges, including ensuring all citizens have access to remote voting technology, combating misinformation and propaganda, and safeguarding against special interests undermining the process.
Democratic Control (DC) is a unique political system based on two main principles: direct democracy and citizens' assemblies, allowing citizens' from all constituencies to vote directly on all matters and ensuring a well-informed and engaged electorate. The system emerged and spread globally during the 21st century, providing for a more representative, less corrupt, and more deliberative political system that better reflects the will and interests of citizens.
As with any political system, DC is not without its challenges, but ongoing efforts to refine and adapt the system aim to preserve its core principles while addressing existing and emerging concerns. Ultimately, DC offers a distinct and attractive alternative to traditional political systems that can bring citizens closer together, foster a more informed and active electorate, and enhance democratic accountability and decision-making.
