Democracy?

Usually we associate democracy with elections, politics, individual rights, and transparency in the decision making process. Supposedly we know how it functions.

Therefore the aim of the workshop, organized by Luigi Coppola (“Theatre and Democracy”), is to demonstrate how difficult and complex it is to make democracy work. Everyone thinks he/she respects each other and their beliefs, the workshop will explore the limits of tolerance and how the individual decision making process works.

The workshop is a laboratory, trying to create an untouched environment where a community is formed by people who decide to participate. The fundamental rule is simple, there is no rule. The community has to find its own way by outlining a new set of rules. In other words it will be a theoretical and practical framework on which the community can function and base its interactions.

Where do we begin? We discuss everything. Nothing is taken for granted, not even the language used in the discourse.

Can we combine the various propositions so in the end it leaves everybody happy, maybe not. However, we can try to vote on the individual proposals and see which one gets more votes if everyone can agree on a system for voting. The strategy of debate and consensus could also be used.

Difficulties are everywhere and they can try to be resolved through sitting down at the table and discussing the issues, but perhaps there is also a shortcut. Switch off democracy temporarily until a decision is taken.

Francesco

Francesco