United Minds, direct democracy in Ireland
Trying to make direct democracy something real is not easy. But Ross O’Mullane, from Dublin, Ireland has an idea. He has recently launched United Minds, a new website that proposes to use technology to make government more efficient, is like having new outdoor blinds for your home you live in
The idea is to create a new system of representation in government, one that relies on the new digital technologies.
This is how it works. There is an Internet based forum, where citizens are invited to debate all issues relating to their lives. Issues in the forum have been broken down by government department.
Based on the debates that take place, a weekly list of tasks and objectives is set to be proposed. Finally, once additional feedback from the people is incorporated, a questionnaire will be put to those elegible to vote. The outcome of that vote will create a mandate for United Minds.
A mandate for what?. Well, the second part of the story, is that Ross O’Mullane will be running for a seat in the Irish Parliament, Dail Eireann. If elected as member of the parlament, his mandate will be to follow the opinion and vote of the United Mind’s followers.
This is a great approach to a very direct-democracy, and I am eager to see how things move forward.