Chapter IX The democratic base of Earth Government
Earth democracy of the Global Community is based on economic democracy and on the Scale of Human and Earth Rights. Economic systems in Earth democracy of the Global Community protect ecosystems and their integrity, they protect people's livelihoods and provide basic needs to all. In the earth economy there are no disposable or dispensable species or people. The earth economy is a living economy. It is based on sustainable, diverse, pluralistic systems that protect nature and people, are chosen by people, for the benefit of the common good.
Article 1: Direct democracy
As stipulated in Chapter 10.2, Section 4 on the Scale of Human and Earth Rights, and in Chapter 10.6.3, 'direct democracy' is how democracy should work. It is based on a voting system empowering voters more than parties because votes are for candidates not for parties. Also, candidate selection will take place at the local riding level, not at party head office. Most importantly, voters will rank candidates of the same party as well as candidates of different parties. It maximizes choice for voters. Competition is not just between candidates of different parties but also between candidates of the same party. This voting system is also a measure of independence from party control and that will make a very significant contribution to greater accountability in government. It will yield a legislature that mirrors the political, social, ethnic, and geographic diversity of a population. Electing candidates in multi-member ridings ensures a broader range of political interests and issues will be represented than is possible under any other system. Preferential voting induces a politics of cooperation, consensus, and civility.
Direct democracy is a community right. It is a right found in Section 4 on the Scale of Human and Earth Rights. Direct democracy is important to sustain life on the planet but its position on the Scale gives it its overall importance.
Direct democracy is the right of global citizens to hold referendums on any issue -- and to veto legislation.
Direct Democracy implies that:
* Global Citizens are willing and able to participate fully in the decision making process on issues that most affect them.
* Global Citizens should have full access to information on global affairs, and the conduct of global business should be open and transparent, with a well-developed global-wide communication system.
* Global Parliament should always recognize that it is accountable to Global Citizens.
* Direct democracy will encourage global citizen input into global policy, and enable Global Citizens to participate more actively in global affairs.
* Direct democracy will raise the level of public awareness and encourage debate of key global issues.
* Global Parliament can exercise the leadership necessary to become a model of effective “direct democracy” for all global communities.
* A direct democracy global law gives Global Citizens and Global Parliament an effective and orderly way of addressing contentious issues.
* A direct democracy global law strengthens the hand of Global Parliament by providing additional credibility in dealing with senior governments and non-elected bodies.
* A direct democracy bylaw shows that Global Parliament has faith in its Global Citizens. Thus, Global Parliament in turn earns increased respect from Global Citizens.
* Direct democracy does not mean government by referendum. Almost all Global Parliament decisions would continue to be made as they are now with the usual consultative processes. Few issues would be important and contentious enough to prompt referenda.
Direct democracy comprises a form of democracy and theory of civics wherein all citizens can directly participate in the political decision-making process. Some proposed systems would give people both legislative and executive powers, but most extant systems allow input into the legislative process only. Direct democracy in its traditional form is rule by the people through referenda. The people are given the right to pass laws, veto laws and withdraw support from a representative (if the system has representatives) at any time.
Direct democracy in its modern sense is characterized by three pillars:
* Initiative
* Referendum including binding referenda
* Recall
The second pillar can include the ability to hold a binding referendum on whether a given law should be scrapped. This effectively grants the populace a veto on government legislation. The third pillar gives the people the right to recall elected officials by petition and referendum.
Article 2: The principle of democratic equality
In all its activities, Earth Government shall observe the principle of the equality of Global Community citizens. All shall receive equal attention from Earth Government's Institutions.
Article 3: The principle of representative democracy
1. The working of Earth Government shall be founded on the principle of representative democracy.Article 4: The principle of participatory democracy
2. Global Community citizens are directly represented at Earth Government level in Global Parliament. Member Nations are represented in Global Parliament and in the Earth Executive Council by their governments, themselves accountable to national parliaments, elected by their Global Community citizens.
3. Every citizen shall have the right to participate in the democratic life of Earth Government. Decisions shall be taken as openly as possible and as closely as possible to the citizen.
4. Political parties contribute to forming global political awareness and to expressing the will of Earth Government Global Community citizens.
1. Earth Government Institutions shall, by appropriate means, give Global Community citizens and representative associations the opportunity to make known and publicly exchange their views in all areas of Earth Government action.Article 5: The social partners and autonomous social dialogue
2. Earth Government Institutions shall maintain an open, transparent and regular dialogue with representative associations and civil society.
3. The Global Judiciary shall carry out broad consultations with parties concerned in order to ensure that Earth Government's actions are coherent and transparent.
4. No less than one million Global Community citizens coming from a significant number of Member Nations may invite the Global Judiciary to submit any appropriate proposal on matters where Global Community citizens consider that a legal act of Earth Government is required for the purpose of implementing the Constitution. A global law shall determine the provisions for the specific procedures and conditions required for such a Global Community citizen's initiative.
Earth Government recognises and promotes the role of the social partners at Earth Government level, taking into account the diversity of national systems; it shall facilitate dialogue between the social partners, respecting their autonomy.
Article 6: The Global Community Ombudsperson
A Global Community Ombudsperson appointed by the Global Parliament shall receive, investigate and report on complaints about maladministration within the Earth Government Institutions, bodies or agencies. The Global Community Ombudspersons shall be completely independent in the performance of his or her duties.
Article 7: Transparency of the proceedings of Earth Government Institutions, Bodies and Agencies
1. In order to promote good governance and ensure the participation of civil society, Earth Government Institutions, bodies and agencies shall conduct their work as openly as possible.Article 8: Protection of personal data
2. The Global Parliament shall meet in public, as shall the Cabinet Ministers when examining and adopting a legislative proposal.
3. Any global citizen of Earth Government, and any natural or legal person residing or having its registered office in a Member Nation shall have a right of access to documents of Earth Government Institutions, bodies and agencies in whatever form they are produced.
4. A global law shall lay down the general principles and limits which, on grounds of public or private interest, govern the right of access to such documents.
5. Each Institution, body or agency referred to in paragraph 3 shall determine in its own rules of procedure specific provisions regarding access to its documents, in accordance with the global law referred to in paragraph 4.
1. Everyone has the right to the protection of personal data concerning him or her.Article 9: Status of churches and non-confessional organisations
2. A global law shall lay down the rules relating to the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data by Earth Government Institutions, bodies and agencies, and by Member Nations when carrying out activities which come under the scope of Earth Government law, and the rules relating to the free movement of such data. Compliance with these rules shall be subject to the control of an independent authority.
1. Earth Government respects and does not prejudice the status under national law of churches and religious associations or communities in the Member Nations.
2. Earth Government equally respects the status of philosophical and non-confessional organisations.
3. Recognising their identity and their specific contribution, Earth Government shall maintain an open, transparent and regular dialogue with these churches and organisations.
Article 10: Direct democracy is a community right
Direct democracy is a community right. As defined in Chapter 10.6.3, and Section 4 on the Scale of Human and Earth Rights, direct democracy is a community right. Direct democracy is the right of global citizens to hold referendums on any issue -- and to veto legislation.
It is a right found in Section 4 on the Scale of Human and Earth Rights. Direct democracy is important to sustain life on the planet but its position on the Scale gives it its overall importance.
Direct Democracy implies that:
* Global Citizens are willing and able to participate fully in the decision making process on issues that most affect them.
* Global Citizens should have full access to information on global affairs, and the conduct of global business should be open and transparent, with a well-developed global-wide communication system.
* Global Parliament should always recognize that it is accountable to Global Citizens.
* Direct democracy will encourage global citizen input into global policy, and enable Global Citizens to participate more actively in global affairs.
* Direct democracy will raise the level of public awareness and encourage debate of key global issues.
* Global Parliament can exercise the leadership necessary to become a model of effective “direct democracy” for all global communities.
* A direct democracy global law gives Global Citizens and Global Parliament an effective and orderly way of addressing contentious issues.
* A direct democracy global law strengthens the hand of Global Parliament by providing additional credibility in dealing with senior governments and non-elected bodies.
* A direct democracy bylaw shows that Global Parliament has faith in its Global Citizens. Thus, Global Parliament in turn earns increased respect from Global Citizens.
* Direct democracy does not mean government by referendum. Almost all Global Parliament decisions would continue to be made as they are now with the usual consultative processes. Few issues would be important and contentious enough to prompt referenda.
