Comments on: The Power of Popular Initiatives http://cwis.org/FWE/2008/11/23/the-power-of-popular-initiatives/ An Online Daily Journal of the Center for World Indigenous Studies Sat, 23 Mar 2013 12:42:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Evan Ravitz http://cwis.org/FWE/2008/11/23/the-power-of-popular-initiatives/#comment-53 Evan Ravitz Mon, 24 Nov 2008 00:11:54 +0000 http://cwis.org/FWE/2008/11/23/the-power-of-popular-initiatives/#comment-53 Voters on initiatives need what legislators get: public hearings, expert testimony, amendments, reports, etc., but independent of the legislature, as all branches of government work independently. The best project for such deliberative process is the National Initiative for Democracy, led by former Sen. Mike Gravel: http://Vote.org. Also http://healthydemocracyoregon.org/ and http://cirwa.org Voters on initiatives need what legislators get: public hearings, expert testimony, amendments, reports, etc., but independent of the legislature, as all branches of government work independently. The best project for such deliberative process is the National Initiative for Democracy, led by former Sen. Mike Gravel: http://Vote.org. Also http://healthydemocracyoregon.org/ and http://cirwa.org

]]> By: Jay Taber http://cwis.org/FWE/2008/11/23/the-power-of-popular-initiatives/#comment-52 Jay Taber Sun, 23 Nov 2008 18:54:09 +0000 http://cwis.org/FWE/2008/11/23/the-power-of-popular-initiatives/#comment-52 You are correct that the important thing is for people to be involved, and initiatives are one way. Initiatives can generate interest that leads to independent research and education, community organizing and direct action. But initiatives, like any form of political tool, can also be manipulated by the rich and powerful for corrupt purposes. Sometimes misguided grassroots groups can even be stampeded into vengeful campaigns. The key to making initiatives beneficial, as with any political tactic, is to use them in ways that provoke thoughtful discussion rather than emotional reaction. To do that requires that some of the participants make it their task to keep an eye on the troublemakers, and to make sure they are thwarted in their efforts to disrupt a democratic process. An important role for those inclined toward investigative research. You are correct that the important thing is for people to be involved, and initiatives are one way. Initiatives can generate interest that leads to independent research and education, community organizing and direct action.

But initiatives, like any form of political tool, can also be manipulated by the rich and powerful for corrupt purposes. Sometimes misguided grassroots groups can even be stampeded into vengeful campaigns.

The key to making initiatives beneficial, as with any political tactic, is to use them in ways that provoke thoughtful discussion rather than emotional reaction. To do that requires that some of the participants make it their task to keep an eye on the troublemakers, and to make sure they are thwarted in their efforts to disrupt a democratic process. An important role for those inclined toward investigative research.

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