real utopias

The countdown has begun. The Scottish Independence Referendum on Thursday the 18thof September provides the Scottish people with the opportunity to once more experience democracy in its most traditional form; at the ballot box, one person, one vote. However, on this occasion, rather than giving the polling station a modest reception, as seen in the AV referendum in 2011, or a distinctly lukewarm response, like at this year’s European Parliamentary election, engagement has surged dramatically with 97% of eligible citizens registered to vote, that’s 4,285,323 people! As a result many are predicting a turnout that will surpass Sweden’s commendable 83% showing in yesterday’s national election.

Those that do not participate in self government are doomed to be governed by a few others and relinquish the  freedoms that so many have fought and died for. 

Arnold August has written an important book on the developing participatory democracy and people's empowerment in those ALBA countries that form the bulwark of 21st century socialism and anti-imperialism in Latin America: Cuba, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Bolivia.  Save Cuba, they came to power due to popular anger in reaction to rapacious corporate neoliberalism, which still dominates the US rulers' agenda here at home.  These ALBA countries set the example of the new world that is possible, being built south of the border.

5. Indigenous consensus-building to write new constitutions and develop legitimate new democratic governance systems that are at once participatory, pluralistic and accountable, and therefore can be expected to be stable and capable of driving sustained and equitable socio-economic growth. The ongoing work in Tunisia, Libya and Egypt to create new governance systems that reflect the citizens’ values and rights are enormously important signs of how the Arab world can change for the better from within. New Arab governments anchored in democratic legitimacy they derive from their own people are the best antidote to the warfare, terrorism and fake diplomacy that continues to plague the Middle East.