Keeping it global

How can we ensure that we are meeting the needs of the world's people and not just what we would consider important? We can agree on a basic standard of living for all humans, but beyond that, how can we ensure that we are not imposing our views onto other cultures who may perceive both the problems and solutions very differently? A million voices wouldnt be representative of the human race, and universals are hard to come by. How can we reach out to the jobless in Tajikistan? The homeless in Argentina? Beggar children in India? African refugees moving around the continent? and similarly, how can we hope to understand those with different views- antithetical to our own... neo-fascists in Eastern Europe, CEOs of large multinational oil companies drinking with republicans on Wall Street, indeed our own politicians. These people arent just going to disappear or be phased out, although they may lose their destructive power. How can we hope to understand who we may consider monsters? we may even want them incarcerated (or other) for crimes against humanity and bought to account for their actions. The transition period will require so much patience and understanding, and even more compassion... are we strong enough to keep to our universal principles?

How?

NB. If you consider the Internet to be a (potentially) useful means of facilitating direct democracy, how can we extend its use to those who are voiceless? Please put your thoughts regarding the Internet in the Internet section and all other suggestions to increase individual political agency here.

Balearicdreams wrote:How can we ensure that we are meeting the needs of the world's people and not just what we would consider important? We can agree on a basic standard of living for all humans, but beyond that, how can we ensure that we are not imposing our views onto other cultures who may perceive both the problems and solutions very differently?

The great thing about Action Groups is that they are started on a local level, and they need people on the ground to agree. It is one thing to want to help other nations, but another thing to understand the dynamics of their situation. Each 'area' is responsible for it's self, while reporting and updating anything that is linked to the wider community. If I was to go to Africa, for example, with a plan it would have to be discussed on the local level with local people and (for the time being) authorities.

Balearicdreams wrote:A million voices wouldnt be representative of the human race, and universals are hard to come by. How can we reach out to the jobless in Tajikistan? The homeless in Argentina? Beggar children in India? African refugees moving around the continent?

There are many ways to approach a given situation, it all depends on the local customs and values, what the people want and how they want it. Getting people to talk and organize is a big task, but it is not impossible, especially when the end goal is tangible. Tools are all around us, participation is the most difficult thing, but people in countries that don't have our luxuries i can imagine will be more prone to doing things when they feel that we are a safe group.

Balearicdreams wrote:and similarly, how can we hope to understand those with different views- antithetical to our own... neo-fascists in Eastern Europe, CEOs of large multinational oil companies drinking with republicans on Wall Street, indeed our own politicians. These people arent just going to disappear or be phased out, although they may lose their destructive power.

Many of the current power systems have already been dissolved by various groups around the world, it's getting the word out and acting on it. They might not want to give up without a fight, but if we take away their means they have no options. this is a long complex subject that is much like a game of chess, and now is not a good time to discuss the longer term stratergy. Suffice to say the majority don't want them and none of us need them, so they will hopefully switch sides or people will deal with them.

Balearicdreams wrote:How can we hope to understand who we may consider monsters? we may even want them incarcerated (or other) for crimes against humanity and bought to account for their actions. The transition period will require so much patience and understanding, and even more compassion... are we strong enough to keep to our universal principles?

That is something that I can't answer, it's up to every individual. If we can teach people that, and why it is better for all of us if there is as little harm as possible so we are not as bad as them it could be done... They have been brainwashing us for a long time, they will get the backlash that they 1 diserve, and 2 allow. If they don't let peaceful revolution happen a violent one may be inevitable, but i'm working towards goodness myself.

Well that's certainly given me something to ponder.   Thanks as ever for your insights and solutions put forward. Localise, localise, localise!