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Tag Archives: Politics
A bit of love for the Living Voters Guide (Washington state)
Via the DO-Wire mailing list, I came across a great little site set up to help voters discuss and learn about the ballot initiatives in the 2011 elections in Washington state. You can take a look here: Your guide to … Continue reading
Posted in NIBs
Tagged crowdsourcing, discussion, participation, Politics, referendums, United States, voter information, Voting, Washington
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Is there a point to politicians?
Chris Dillow argues Politicians are becoming meaningless people doing meaningless posturing. in the light of their inability to fix the problems of the Eurozone, or to reverse declining turnout at elections. Hopi Sen, in an unrelated post, points out that people’s interest … Continue reading
Posted in Commentary
Tagged apathy, Campaigns and Elections, euro, Hopi Sen, Politics, turnout
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Does democracy have to be political?
This is by way of a polemic – I expect people to disagree but I also hope it strikes a chord. I can’t be the only one who has been struck by the way in which the people getting involved … Continue reading
Posted in Commentary
Tagged 2011 riots, Democracy, disorder, Politics, Representative democracy, riots
3 Comments
Alphagov consultation vision
It’s taken me far too long to get my thoughts down on the AlphaGov vision for consultation, which came out a few weeks ago. That’s mostly because, like Delib, I don’t see much wrong with it – kudos to Simon, … Continue reading
Co-creation and democracy: reflections from SIX
This post was written by Corline van Es and Anthony Zacharzewski What’s the connexion between co-creation and democracy? Earlier this week we joined the SIX Spring School in Amsterdam to discuss “co-creating democracy”. It was two fascinating days full of … Continue reading
Posted in Commentary
Tagged Amsterdam, Democracy, Felix Meritis, Politics, Public services
1 Comment
Beyond Parties
Are the Labour party cottoning on to the idea that we live in a post-party world? It seems like it, with the launch of a “Refounding Labour” consultation by Peter Hain and Ed Miliband today. The press release says: Labour … Continue reading
Tagged Ed Miliband, Labour, parties, Peter Hain, Politics, politics
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Pickles Unreasonableness
Here’s a strange pronouncement from Eric Pickles, reported in the Guardian: In what was seen as a marked change of stance, the minister [Pickles] said he was willing to block [voluntary sector] cuts that did not meet a test of reasonableness … Continue reading
Posted in Commentary
Tagged Big Society, Local Government, Localism, Politics, Uncategorized
1 Comment
The Big Society is Cool Britannia
The “Big Society” has been criticised as a triumph of style over substance. A hook used by an intellectually lightweight new government in lieu of a genuinely big idea. A concept that lasts only because it finds favour with party … Continue reading
Posted in Commentary
Tagged Big Society, Cool Britannia, culture, David Cameron, Politics, Uncategorized
2 Comments
The deceptive beauty of technology
As I write this, I’m on a TGV heading down the Rhône valley towards Barcelona and the Personal Democracy Forum, which takes place next week. The tunnels and trains that can bring me from London to Barcelona in twelve hours are an amazing technological achievement, and also in their own way rather beautiful, as anyone who has seen a TGV streaking through the French countryside would appreciate. Continue reading
If Social Justice™ were a breed of cat…
Oh, here’s a hideous survey. It invites you to tell the DWP what you think about Social Justice – the capital letters are clearly important. On the second (final) page of the survey you can opt in to hear more about … Continue reading →