Dialogue and Governance

            Dialogue and governance go well together. Dialogue seems necessary for good governance. Dialogue is necessary for democratic governance. See our Dialogue With RCS blog. Remember dialogue includes group Communication, and Governance includes taking care of ourselves together.

            A dialogue group includes a time and place to practice dialogue together. It is a special way to practice an especially effective type communication among a number of individuals. It may be a vital tool for successful for participatory democracy. We should not need the word participatory with democracy for it has long be understood that without participation, there is no democracy. Participatory democracy is that form for of governance which emphasises the active involvement of citizens in decision-making, goal-setting and more. It usually aims to ensure that each individual has an equal opportunity to participate in shaping the policies and activates of their community or country.

            Key principles of participatory democracy include accountability, transparency, deliberation, and inclusivity. These also good principles to have for dialogue group work. They also seem to be essential to the creation and working of  a democratic system the truly represents and serves the interests of its citizens. Participation includes the participation of those who are too often marginalised, but who can participate in citizenship. That may include minority groups and sometimes other underrepresented populations. All are helped and encouraged to to use their citizenship.

            Accountability means that in a democracy we are each and all responsible for decisions, actions, and results. We have the power and are responsible for its use. Decision-makers are answerable to each and all. It can also involve ways for holding elected representatives and institutions. Such ways include elections, independent oversight bodies and individuals, and the right and duty of citizens to voice concerns and grievances. Accountability is essential for maintaining integrity and legitimacy of governance. The less the openness and truthfulness of information the sooner governance falls apart. So all is open to each and each is open to all. Citizens need to be informed so as to understand the reasoning behind decisions and citizens nee to make their reasoning available. Each and all is responsible. In successful democracy trust is promoted and supported. Much room is allowed for individual scrutiny and public oversight of all actions of government.

            In a democratic system each has opportunities to listen and to speak, to participate in dialogue and  discussion and on to decision and implementation is deliberation. This deliberation, a kind of dialogue. It is a kind of thinking together to common purpose. Includes the exchange of ideas, arguments, evidence, etc. enabling us to understand one another on the topic in question enabling us to make well informed decisions. It's thoughtful and informed discussion among citizens. It entails respectful dialogue, active listening and consideration of a variety of viewpoints. It may be our best attempt to ensure that decisions are made based on a through understanding of the issues at hand. Visit the Dialogue RCS blog.

            Democracy is our attempt at inclusivity. We each participate in our humanity, our environment, and our existence. Many believe that we should each have an opportunity to participate in our common governance. That is part of what inclusion and inclusivity are about. Inclusivity ensures that diverse perspectives are considered and that decisions are made with the input of those who are directly affected by them. This inclusivity is an attempt to include the demo, the people. If we cannot include all the people we may come close to including all the cisterns. We can also do much to make more of the people citizens. Democracy is governance by the people, is that not so?             

             Governance is about the doing of government, isn't it?  Dialogue and governance are both done by people together are they not? Who does them in your neighborhood?

            Thank you for reading!

                                                                                            Richard

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Learning to Organize as We Organize to Learn

  Co-operation:

                There is a hope among us that we can effectively co-operate for our mutual well-being; that is to co-operate for the well-being of our health, education, economy, civic life, and more. We know about co-operation, but many of us seem to be out of practice. 

                In order to organize to get something going, or to keep it going, we need to co-operate pretty well. That takes talking, it takes communication, and it takes practice. To keep on the same track or on the same page, often takes an ongoing conversation or dialogue. Carrying on a dialogue conversation effectively takes some practice and a bit of learning. 

Practice:

                We could practice such dialogue as we teach each other active citizenship, self governance, and participatory democracy, if we would.

                Learning to practice the dialogue effectively can be an important first step. Learn to use the dialogue is a very useful in many collective activities. the practice of the dialogue makes us better co-operators and more effective doers. Use of the dialogue is a great aid to organizing and and more effective learning as we become more effective organizers.

Listening and Acton:

                Dialogue practice leads us to be more meaningful listeners and understanders. The dialogue is a way to think co-operatively, to act usefully, and effectively. It can be a way to beautiful action. It can move us beautiful action. It can move us to powerful and broadly meaningful action when we so will.

                You can explore our growing blogsites of dialogue and governance when you so will. You can check the list of associated blogs here whenever you care to. Find out more about dialogue skills and how to use them at the dialogue and the governance sites here.

                Thank you for reading.

                                                                                                        rcs

My Present View of Our Associated Blogsite Readers

 Readers of these associate blogsites seem to be much like this:

                    They seem ordinary, and they are not interested in hashing over the same old stuff. Their minds are hungry.

                    Many have some college. Some have post graduate degrees. They seem to be more curious than most and to be life-long-learners. They have an urge to explore. They even learn to explore certain blogs.

                    They are often interested in some facets of science and to have imaginations which tend to be realistic. A significant number of them are interested in kinds and sorts of history. They want to get to the real story. They are interested in sociology even when they are not exactly sure of what it is. A few have considered the nature of governance. They can also be interested in new thoughts related to world affairs. Others are happily married.

                    Often they are interested in getting the back story of the news and other happenings, and often don't tell me so.

                    They believe in the importance of personal communication and find face to face communication attractive. They are often ready to learn more, to understand much more, and to be interested in meanings of some depth.

                    Health can be an important interest of theirs, both public health and personal health. They are often interesting people interested in personal development. Many love reality, reality, and clear thinking. Some find the possibilities of  interactivity of blogs interesting. An important few are willing to help me to present good content well, to correct my errors, to ask questions, to make comments on content. I appreciate them.

                    Most visitors have used several of the apps available on these blogs to make their searches, explorations, readings and viewing of essays and videos more pleasant and effective. Some find that these applications support their intuitive explorations. 

                    Some few are coming to appreciate the ease of moving back an forth from one of these associated blogs to another.

                    More and more are beginning to visit the timeline blogs. Others find a home base blog from which to explore. One may feel at home at Mago Bill, another at Dialogue With RCS and another at History With RCS because they like the pre-history there. Recently I have been beginning at the Governance blog, but I may start using the Writing With RCS site as my home-base.

                    It is my wish that you enjoy your visits. 

           

                   I enjoy your comments on details of content the most, these days.

                  Thank you for reading.

                                                                                    Richard    

They know that their are truly wonders of reality.

There Are Still Some Little "d" democrats: Why the little "d"?

 There Are Still Some Real democrats: Why the little "d" in democrats?

In the distant past there were democrats. In the recent past there were some democrats. And, there are still some democrats. A democrat might be thought of as one who believes in our ability to learn and to do. I know little about what those who call themselves democrats are doing now. I do have a sharp memory for much of that which democrats have done in the past.

I hope you understand that I am not using the word “democrat” to refer to a member of a political party, but rather to one who holds a certain philosophical position. A Democrat can be a democrat, but she doesn’t have to.

Democrats have tended to promote certain doings. Those doings have tended to be definitive of their beliefs.

Democrats have promoted:

~ improved communications within political organizations and among them.

~ enhancement and protection of democracy among us.

~ the study of legislation affecting democracy.

~ vigorous ongoing education about the use and doing of democracy.

~ development of widespread leadership rather than super-leaders.

~ enhanced education for participation in government.

~ cooperative self-governance.

~ willingness to thoughtfully and promptly change a bad law for the better.

~ strong respect for the law.

~exclusivity and diversity in public life.

~ cooperation within and among groups.

~ knowledge of the history of democracy, including its limitations and advantages.

~ respect for the varieties of democracy around the world.

~ our Constitution at its Bill or Rights.

~ loving care for each and every child.

~ respect and honor for the individual, the family, and the neighborhood.

~ more nearly equal opportunity for access to healthcare for each person.

~ strong support and oversight for our public health systems.

~respect and support for the position of minorities.

~ the practice of better dialogue.

~ wide, ongoing educational opportunities for all.

~ honesty.

This list can be greatly improved. However, there is already enough here to suggests planks for the platform of a present political party or candidate, or, a new party and candidates.

by Richard Sheehan