way when they are interpreted by reference to the democratically determined
purpose for which they are enacted.
941
In the face of competing forms of democracy with plausible claims for their
implementation, it is probably impossible to achieve perfection. At best one
can make a plausible case. In this spirit the following propositions are
suggested.
Representative democracy is the most practical way of
implementing
democracy. Indeed despite its substantial shortcomings it has provided
stability and prosperity for millions.
If one accepts this proposition, the task is then to minimise as many of the
shortcomings of representative democracy as are possible and to graft onto it
any practices which will achieve the advantages of other forms of democracy.
Some specific suggestions and comments are as follows. Provide proper
access to government information. Provide a system of electoral advertising in
which
each candidate obtains without cost equal opportunity to propound
their policies in the media. Ensure that any proposal put to a government by a
lobbyist, corporation or citizen is fully disclosed on a government website.
When legislation is proposed, prepare a full discussion of policy that is
displayed on the government website some considerable time before the
legislation is presented to the legislature (if the legislation has to be done
quickly, insert a sunset clause to ensure that it receives full publicity and
debate at the earliest opportunity). Provide for systematic review of all
legislation.
942
Governments should take special care to protect the welfare of
those who are politically less able to stand up for themselves; for example they
could actively seek out their views on proposed legislation. Have the legislature
establish dedicated committees to consider the perspective of the
disadvantaged; in a similar vein establish a committee to look after politically
unpopular questions such as issues that
involve the future and any other
matters that do not naturally command political attention. Try to ensure that the
electoral system produces representatives that broadly represent the electorate;
if necessary provide specifically for minority representation. Define the
composition and role of the second chamber so that it properly contributes to
the democratic process. Where government is federated, ensure that problems
do not fall between two governments on the basis that each has some power
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941
However, see Weaver (1985).
942
This proposal is discussed in Chapter 15
Cause: Responding to
Uncertainty.
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