Renew democracy - an interview with BBC

The BBC interviewed me here about the way that the internet is going to transform the way we access public services - and hold to account those who run them.

Politics won't be something we have remote politicians do for us.  It'll increasingly be something we do for ourselves.

Posted on 11 December 2009 by Douglas Carswell

Comments

Most politicians just don't get it.

See Lord Saatchi in the times - http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article6950891.ece
maybe even competition in banks can be a reality? That really would put the cat among the dirty pigeons.

How about a Hayekian exchange system where the vendor decides what he/she will accept as payment??

Interesting times.

Posted on 11 December 2009 16:54 by Rob H

I'm not saying you don't raise good points, but how do you suggest getting the turkeys to vote for Christmas? The status quo is very cushy for a lot of MPs, they're not really going to give that up in the name of fairness are they?

Posted on 11 December 2009 17:06 by Ryan

@Ryan. Surely the point about turkeys voting for Christmas is that December 25th happens regardless.

The great reforms of the 19th century happened despite the vested interests. The web will flatten such oligarchy because it's even more powerful than they are.

Posted on 11 December 2009 17:20 by Douglas Carswell MP

I really hope so Douglas but the powers tat be wont take this lying down..

Posted on 11 December 2009 17:24 by cmp

I seem to have missed your take on young
Milliband being "told"(*) his presence was no longer required at EU summits and that the UK would be represented in future by High Representative La Ashton.

Democracy at Work (EUSSR style !)

* By Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, who is the last national leader to chair a summit before Van Rompuy takes over for good.

Posted on 11 December 2009 21:22 by David morris

"The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary." H.L. Mencken & perhaps the most profound of many profiound things he said.

If politics ceases to be run by professional politicians there is little pressure to create such "hobgoblins" (global warming, the alleged continued survival of bin Laden etc.) which would make society a lot healthier & us as individuals much happier.

Posted on 12 December 2009 11:39 by Neil Craig

The YouTube video "Renew Democracy" suggests some new ideas on how to achieve greater public participation in democracy -- by changing the way we select government officials, and using practical safeguards against corruption, as was done with the world's first (Athenian) democracy.

Posted on 15 December 2009 20:15 by Ross King

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