[EM] Declaration of Election-Method Experts and Enthusiasts

[Richard Fobes]

On 9/1/2011 8:58 AM, Fred Gohlke wrote:
>  ...
> It's too easy to fall into the trap of becoming so absorbed with the
> minutiae of methods that the purpose of the process is obscured.
>
> One guard against this eventuality is to include in Fobes 'Declaration'
> the principle that electoral methods are designed to afford the
> electorate meaningful participation in the electoral process. Last week
> I suggested identification of principles as a prelude to creating the
> declaration, in the hope the members would include such a principle.
>
> Do you think it worth considering that there are attempts to establish
> democratic regimes going on at several places in the world? Would it not
> be proper to discuss the flaws we've experienced in the party-based
> model openly and in considerable depth so those struggling with
> embryonic systems can avoid them?
>
> Fred Gohlke

If the Declaration does not yet convey what you call "the principle that 
electoral methods are designed to afford the electorate meaningful 
participation in the electoral process", then please suggest words that 
convey what's missing.

I think that the listed benefits (of election-method reform) cover most 
of your "participation" principle, but if we're missing anything, please 
suggest specific words that will plug into the document to clarify 
anything important that is not yet covered.

This declaration is not intended to be "Fobes 'Declaration'." I'm 
contributing my tech-writing and marketing-writing skills to improve its 
readability and to help inspire the reader to action, but everyone here 
should be telling me and Jameson Quinn what they want included.

(Not that there's room for much more, but if there's something 
overlooked and very important, we can squeeze it in, and if necessary 
find something less important to remove.)

And yes, the fact that many places around the world are struggling to 
create and sustain democracy is a good reason to get this declaration 
signed and shared.

But the world has already waited long enough for us to formulate 
agreed-on wording about abstract principles, and that opportunity is 
gone. Now we need to express support for specific election-method 
reforms -- and not "split our vote" in opposition to plurality voting.

Thanks,

Richard Fobes