[EM] Voting reform statement; a clearer and more inspiring version

[Richard Fobes]

Your implication (at the bottom of your message) that our goal should be 
to create something that is "supported by all members" is impractical. 
(As we know, a consensus requirement easily leads to a dictatorship by 
someone "holding out" for their favorite "cause".)

I agree with Jameson Quinn that we should try to "write a statement, 
then see who objects to what."  Already that approach is revealing new 
information. The key word is "try".  If we don't succeed and very few 
people want to sign it, then we have still learned a lot.

I am interested in your specific feedback about what you like and 
dislike about the declaration.  If you dislike most of the declaration, 
then I encourage you to do what I did in response to the previous 
declaration, which is to write an alternate version.

Richard Fobes


On 8/24/2011 9:57 AM, Fred Gohlke wrote:
> If one wishes to "distribute a formal statement of the election-method
> principles that we agree upon.", would it not be wise to start by
> finding out which principles command agreement?
>
> Perhaps it would be better to take one step back and jointly define the
> principles before attempting a formal statement. One possibility might
> start something like this:
>
> Electoral Method Principles:
>
> * Principles express a consensus.
>
> * No principle has primacy over another principle.
>
> * Any principle can be challenged by rational argument.
>
>
> Principles of human interaction:
>
> * The interactions between humans is known as politics.
>
> * The scope of politics is immense.
>
> * The immensity of politics requires organization.
>
> * The first step of forming an organization is to define its
> principles.
>
>
> Principles of government:
>
> * The people have the right to define their government.
>
> * The Electoral Method must implement government by the people.
>
> * Government by the people means that every individual in the
> society can participate in the political process to the full
> extent of the individual's desire and ability.
>
> It is not my place to list the principles for this board, except as an
> example, so the foregoing is merely a suggested outline. Participants in
> the discussion must define the principles important to them, and should
> do so before attempting a formal statement alleged to be supported by
> all members.
>
> Fred Gohlke
>
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