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15. Basic Rules of DD To ensure that a DD remains viable it is necessary to lay down basic rules for its conduct. Such rules are ‘The Constitution’ of DD. They too can be changed at any time but changes should require a large majority (say 80% of all the citizens) to guard against accidental or frivolous changes, so that the Constitution remains viable longer. Only those living in a DD must decide the details of such a Constitution, but those promoting DD today can suggest some general principles to be considered. DD must educate its young to accept anthropocentrism as their priority since ego/ethno/theo-centric priorities will create constant strife in DD and will - eventually - tear it apart. As DD rules by majority decisions it could become a dictatorship of the majority. The DD Constitution must prevent this by adhering to five principles: 1. The right of any minority (political/ethnic/sexual/religious, or other) to express and promote its views (including anti-DD views) - however repugnant they may be to the majority - must be guaranteed, and protected, against any violation by any majority. 2 Any minority must have the right to veto specified decisions provided it proposes alternative policies to the one it vetoed. All the citizens will decide which decisions can be vetoed. 3. A minority may be exempted from obeying specified decisions that will apply only to those that voted for them. All the citizens will decide to which decisions this applies. 4. The Constitution must clarify which decisions require a simply majority vote, and which require a majority of all citizens (including those who did not vote). Some decisions may require a preferential majority of 60% or more of all citizens. 5. When 1% of all citizens propose to debate and vote on a particular decision, that decision will be debated and submitted to a vote of all citizens. A DD Constitution must protect any minority from being crushed by the majority. Minorities must obey majority decisions but must be protected from abuse of this rule. Those in the majority must consider how they would respond if they were in the minority, and do their best to minimize the discomfort of the minority. The spirit of DD is respect for the autonomy of others, including those in a minority. Majorities are fallible and must take care not to create situations where decisions cause irreversible damage. A critical attitude to one’s own decisions is preferable to over-confidence. |
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