Self-Governance and Self-Learning


Implied in traditional models of democracy are connected axiomatic principles [5D] of self-learning and self-governing.

Simply, its better to be informed if you want to survive and learning is the human condition which allows you to inform yourself.

Actually, democracy and related civic learning are the only means to assure our individual rights.

Know your rights to life, livelihood and everything besides. Then agree them within your community.

And don’t let anyone take them away, because they are the only protection against usurpation by others, those with money and power who crave more of everything, including your data, your resources and those of your community.

One Wo[man] one vote is the simple acknowledged mechanism behind democracy, although others are necessary [5D].

Using a simple ‘thought experiment’ we see how democracy today is often denied.

Ten wo[men], each get one vote on a single question.

The question is: do you want to be the maker of rules for others,or the taker of rules from others? 

Arguably no-one in their right mind would want to be a taker of rules from others, all else being equal, which leads us to the simple conclusion that we all want to be self-governing.

This is not a surprise to most people who consider themselves capable of making sense.

Now an argument might occur about the possibility of managing decisions with millions of people involved, where specialists have to take charge. 

Today this means a vote, not on single issues –except occasional referenda – but on a whole manifesto of issues divided by one or two, party-reduced choices.

Although, our technologies have changed and national politics no longer needs to be constituted this way.

In the networked world of massive digital integration, self-governance is not only a possibility, it is an immediate responsibility for all.

Where every citizen is offered the maximum chance to assure their own life-chances and survival under conditions of complex risks and growing threats.

Global information systems can support self-governance and self-learning by billions of world citizens.

Clearly, the internet has awoken people to their own capabilities.

Their natural response is to first become interested in the political and governance arrangements that affect their world, and then to demand participation and engagement with these arrangements.

Also relevant is the inspiration and vital energy that ordinary citizens gain from being involved and able to direct their own learning and governance.

To decide how their lives are organised through what are increasingly electronic connections that can manage mass involvement in these two key venues for human development.

AI and predictive technologies now shape powerful venues for civic participation and creative employment by citizens.

This is a necessary response to the magnitude of risks already in the global political and natural spheres.

People looking after ourselves supported by intelligent digital systems.

Learning by governing ourselves. For the public good. Not just private gain.