,! ,P>TY'S ,OV] 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,CRIME?,9C4 

,TEXT 3 

,N[ADAYS1 DEMOCRACY RULES ! WORLD4 ,COMMUNISM IS LONG DEAD1 ELECTIONS >E TAK+ PLACE EV5 9 ,AF<ANI/AN & ,IRAQ1 & WORLD LEAD]S >E MEET+ TO PLAN ! 0GLOBAL COMMUNITY0 WE HE> SO MU* AB\T4 ,SO :Y ISN'T EV]YBODY HAPPY1 F9ALLY8 ,= ?AT MATT]--:Y DO SO FEW ( ! ELIGIBLE VOT]S 9 ! ,UNIT$ ,/ATES1 ! WORLD'S FLAG%IP DEMOCRACY1 EV5 BO!R TO VOTE8 

,C\LD IT BE ?AT DEMOCRACY1 LONG ! CAT*WORD ( EV]Y REVOLUTION & REBELLION1 IS SIMPLY NOT DEMOCRATIC 5\<8 ,:AT C\LD BE ! PROBLEM8 

,EV]Y LITTLE *ILD CAN GR[ UP TO BE ,PRESID5T4 

  

,NO1 !Y CAN'T4 ,BE+ ,PRESID5T MEANS OCCUPY+ A POSITION ( HI]>*ICAL P[]1 JU/ LIKE BE+ A BILLIONAIRE3 = EV]Y P]SON :O IS ,PRESID5T1 !RE HAVE TO BE MILLIONS :O >E NOT4 ,IT'S NO CO9CID5CE ?AT BILLIONAIRES & ,PRESID5TS T5D TO RUB %\LD]S2 BO? EXI/ 9 A PRIVILEG$ WORLD (F LIMITS TO ! RE/ ( US4 ,SPEAK+ ( BILLIONAIRES1 \R ECONOMY ISN'T EXACTLY DEMOCRATIC--CAPITALISM DI/RIBUTES RES\RCES 9 ABSURDLY UNEQUAL PROPORTIONS1 & Y\ HAVE TO />T ) RES\RCES IF Y\'RE EV] GO+ TO GET ELECT$4 

,EV5 IF IT WAS TRUE ?AT ANYONE C\LD GR[ UP TO BE ,PRESID5T1 ?AT W\LDN'T HELP ! MILLIONS :O 9EVITABLY DON'T1 :O MU/ /ILL LIVE 9 ! %AD[ ( ?AT P[]4 ,?IS IMBALANCE IS 9TR9SIC TO ! /RUCTURE ( REPRES5TATIVE DEMOCRACY1 AT ! LOCAL LEVEL AS MU* AS AT ! TOP4 ,! PR(ESSIONAL POLITICIANS ( A T[N C\NCIL DISCUSS MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS & PASS ORD9ANCES ALL DAY )\T CONSULT+ ! CITIZ5S ( ! T[N1 :O HAVE TO BE AT WORK2 :5 ONE ( ?OSE ORD9ANCES DISPLEASES CITIZ5S1 !Y HAVE TO USE :AT LITTLE LEISURE TIME !Y HAVE TO CONTE/ IT1 & !N !Y'RE BACK AT WORK AGA9 ! NEXT TIME ! T[N C\NCIL MEETS4 ,9 !ORY1 ! CITIZ5S C\LD ELECT A DIFF]5T T[N C\NCIL FROM ! AVAILABLE POOL ( POLITICIANS & W\LD-BE POLITICIANS1 BUT ! 9T]E/S ( POLITICIANS AS A CLASS ALWAYS REMA9 ESS5TIALLY AT ODDS ) !IR [N--BESIDES1 VOT+ FRAUD1 G]RYM&]+1 & 9ANE P>TY LOYALTY USUALLY PREV5T !M FROM GO+ ?AT F>4 ,EV5 9 ! UNLIKELY SC5>IO ?AT A :OLE NEW GOV]NM5T WAS ELECT$ CONSI/+ ( FIREBR&S 9T5T ON UNDO+ ! IMBALANCE ( P[] BETWE5 POLITICIANS & CITIZ5S1 !Y W\LD 9EVITABLY P]PETUATE IT SIMPLY BY ACCEPT+ ROLES 9 ! SY/EM--= ! POLITICAL APP>ATUS ITSELF IS ! F\NDATION ( ?AT IMBALANCE4 ,TO SUCCE$ 9 !IR OBJECTIVE1 !Y W\LD HAVE TO DISSOLVE ! GOV]NM5T & JO9 ! RE/ ( ! POPULACE 9 RE/RUCTUR+ SOCIETY FROM ! ROOTS UP4 

,BUT EV5 IF !RE W]E NO ,PRESID5TS OR T[N C\NCILS1 DEMOCRACY AS WE KN[ IT W\LD /ILL BE AN IMP$IM5T TO FRE$OM4 ,CORRUPTION1 PRIVILEGE1 & HI]>*Y ASIDE1 MAJORITY RULE IS NOT ONLY 9H]5TLY OPPRESSIVE BUT ALSO P>ADOXICALLY DIVISIVE & HOMOG5IZ+ AT ! SAME TIME4 

,! ,TYRANNY ( ! ,MAJORITY 

  

,IF Y\ EV] F\ND Y\RSELF 9 A VA/LY \TNUMB]$ M9ORITY1 & ! MAJORITY VOT$ ?AT Y\ HAD TO GIVE UP SOME?+ AS NECESS>Y TO Y\R LIFE AS WAT] & AIR1 W\LD Y\ COMPLY8 ,:5 IT COMES D[N TO IT1 DOES ANYONE REALLY BELIEVE IT MAKES S5SE TO ACCEPT ! AU?ORITY ( A GR\P SIMPLY ON ! GR\NDS ?AT !Y \TNUMB] EV]YONE ELSE8 ,WE ACCEPT MAJORITY RULE BECAUSE WE DO NOT BELIEVE IT WILL ?REAT5 US--& ?OSE IT DOES ?REAT5 >E ALREADY SIL5C$ BE=E ANYONE CAN HE> !IR MISGIV+S4  
  

,BY CONF9+ POLITICAL P>TICIPATION TO ! ISOLATION ( ! VOT+ BOO?1 ! DEMOCRATIC SY/EM PREV5TS PEOPLE FROM LE>N+ H[ TO WIELD P[] & WORK \T CONFLICTS COLLECTIVELY4  
  

,! AV]AGE SELF-PR(ESS$ LAW-ABID+ CITIZ5 DOES NOT CONSID] HIMSELF ?REAT5$ BY MAJORITY RULE BECAUSE1 CONSCI\SLY OR NOT1 HE CONCEIVES ( HIMSELF AS HAV+ ! P[] & MORAL AU?ORITY ( ! MAJORITY3 IF NOT 9 FACT1 BY VIRTUE ( HIS BE+ POLITICALLY & SOCIALLY 0MOD]ATE10 !N 9 !ORY1 BECAUSE HE BELIEVES EV]YONE W\LD BE CONV9C$ BY HIS >GUM5TS IF ONLY HE HAD ! OPPORTUNITY TO PRES5T !M4 ,MAJORITY-RULE DEMOCRACY HAS ALWAYS RE/$ ON ! CONVICTION ?AT IF ALL ! FACTS W]E KN[N1 EV]YONE C\LD BE MADE TO SEE ?AT !RE IS ONLY ONE RI<T C\RSE ( ACTION--)\T ?IS BELIEF1 IT AM\NTS TO NO?+ MORE ?AN ! DICTATOR%IP ( ! H]D4 ,BUT EV5 IF 0!0 FACTS C\LD BE MADE EQUALLY CLE> TO EV]YONE1 ASSUM+ SU* A ?+ W]E POSSIBLE1 PEOPLE /ILL W\LD HAVE !IR 9DIVIDUAL P]SPECTIVES & MOTIVATIONS & NE$S4 ,WE NE$ SOCIAL & POLITICAL /RUCTURES ?AT TAKE ?IS 9TO ACC\NT1 9 :I* WE >E FREE FROM ! MOB RULE ( ! MAJORITY AS WELL AS ! ASC5DANCY ( ! PRIVILEG$ CLASS4 

,LIV+ UND] DEMOCRATIC RULE TEA*ES PEOPLE TO ?9K 9 T]MS ( QUANTITY1 TO FOCUS MORE ON PUBLIC OP9ION ?AN ON :AT !IR CONSCI5CES TELL !M1 TO SEE !MSELVES AS P[]LESS UNLESS !Y >E IMM]S$ 9 A MASS4 ,! ROOT ( MAJORITY-RULE DEMOCRACY IS COMPETITION3 COMPETITION TO P]SUADE EV]YONE ELSE TO Y\R POSITION :E!R OR NOT IT IS 9 !IR BE/ 9T]E/1 COMPETITION TO CON/ITUTE A MAJORITY TO WIELD P[] BE=E O!RS \TMANEUV] Y\ TO DO ! SAME--& ! LOS]S 7?AT IS TO SAY1 ! M9ORITIES7 BE DAMN$4 ,AT ! SAME TIME1 MAJORITY RULE =CES ?OSE :O WI% = P[] TO APPEAL TO ! L[E/ COMMON D5OM9ATOR1 PRECIPITAT+ A RACE TO ! BOTTOM ?AT REW>DS ! MO/ BL&1 SUP]FICIAL1 & DEMAGOGIC2 UND] DEMOCRACY1 P[] ITSELF COMES TO BE ASSOCIAT$ ) CON=MITY RA!R ?AN 9DIVIDUALITY4 ,& ! MORE P[] IS CONC5TRAT$ 9 ! H&S ( ! MAJORITY1 ! LESS ANY 9DIVIDUAL CAN DO ON H] [N1 :E!R %E IS 9SIDE OR \TSIDE ?AT MAJORITY4 

,9 PURPORT+ TO GIVE EV]YONE AN OPPORTUNITY TO P>TICIPATE1 MAJORITY-RULE DEMOCRACY (F]S A P]FECT JU/IFICATION = REPRESS+ ?OSE :O DON'T ABIDE BY ITS DICTATES3 IF !Y DON'T LIKE ! GOV]NM5T1 :Y DON'T !Y GO 9TO POLITICS !MSELVES8 ,& IF !Y DON'T W9 AT ! GAME ( BUILD+ UP A MAJORITY TO WIELD P[]1 DIDN'T !Y GET !IR *ANCE8 ,?IS IS ! SAME BLAME-!-VICTIM REASON+ US$ TO JU/IFY CAPITALISM3 IF ! DI%WA%] ISN'T HAPPY ) HIS SAL>Y1 HE %\LD WORK H>D] SO HE TOO CAN [N A RE/AURANT *A94 ,SURE1 EV]YONE GETS A *ANCE TO COMPETE1 H[EV] UNEQUAL--BUT :AT AB\T ?OSE ( US :O DON'T WANT TO COMPETE1 :O NEV] WANT$ P[] TO BE C5TRALIZ$ 9 ! H&S ( A GOV]NM5T 9 ! FIR/ PLACE8 ,:AT IF WE DON'T C>E TO RULE OR BE RUL$8 

,?AT'S :AT POLICE >E =--& C\RTS & JUDGES & PRISONS4  
  

,CONSEQU5TLY1 POLITICAL CONFLICTS CAN BE FRAM$ AS DISAGREEM5TS BETWE5 PEOPLE )9 ! SAME ECONOMIC CLASSES1 RA!R ?AN BETWE5 ! CLASSES !MSELVES4  

,! ,RULE ( ,LAW 

  

,EV5 IF Y\ DON'T BELIEVE !IR PURPOSE IS TO GR9D \T NONCON=MITY :]EV] IT APPE>S1 Y\ HAVE TO ACKN[L$GE ?AT LEGAL 9/ITUTIONS >E NO SUB/ITUTE = FAIRNESS1 MUTUAL RESPECT1 & GOOD WILL4 ,! RULE ( 0JU/ & EQUAL LAW10 AS FETI%IZ$ BY ! /OCKHOLD]S & L&LORDS :OSE 9T]E/S IT PROTECTS1 (F]S NO GU>ANTEES AGA9/ 9JU/ICE2 IT SIMPLY CREATES ANO!R >5A ( SPECIALIZATION1 9 :I* P[] & RESPONSIBILITY >E C$$ TO EXP5SIVE LAWY]S & POMP\S JUDGES4 ,RA!R ?AN S]V+ TO PROTECT \R COMMUNITIES & WORK \T CONFLICTS1 ?IS >RANGEM5T 5SURES ?AT \R COMMUNITIES' SKILLS = CONFLICT RESOLUTION & SELF-DEF5SE ATROPHY--& ?AT ?OSE :OSE PR(ESSION IT SUPPOS$LY IS TO DISC\RAGE CRIME HAVE A /AKE 9 IT PROLIF]AT+1 S9CE !IR C>E]S DEP5D UPON IT4 

,IRONICALLY1 WE >E TOLD ?AT WE NE$ !SE 9/ITUTIONS TO PROTECT ! RI<TS ( M9ORITIES--EV5 ?\< ! IMPLICIT FUNCTION ( ! C\RTS IS1 AT BE/1 TO IMPOSE ! LEGISLATION ( ! MAJORITY ON ! M9ORITY4 ,9 ACTUALITY1 A P]SON IS ONLY ABLE TO USE ! C\RTS TO DEF5D HIS RI<TS :5 HE CAN BR+ SUFFICI5T =CE TO BE> UPON !M 9 A CURR5CY !Y RECOGNIZE2 ?ANKS TO CAPITALISM1 ONLY A M9ORITY CAN DO ?IS1 SO 9 A R\NDAB\T WAY IT TURNS \T ?AT1 9DE$1 ! C\RTS EXI/ TO PROTECT ! RI<TS ( AT LEA/ A C]TA9 M9ORITY4 

,JU/ICE CANNOT BE E/ABLI%$ ?R\< ! M]E DRAW+ UP & 5=CEM5T ( LAWS2 SU* LAWS CAN ONLY 9/ITUTIONALIZE :AT IS ALREADY ! RULE 9 A SOCIETY4 ,COMMON S5SE & COMPASSION >E ALWAYS PREF]ABLE TO ! 5=CEM5T ( /RICT1 IMP]SONAL REGULATIONS4 ,:]E ! LAW IS ! PRIVATE PROV9CE ( AN ELITE 9VE/$ 9 ITS [N P]PETUATION1 ! S5SIBLE & COMPASSIONATE >E B\ND TO 5D UP AS DEF5DANTS2 WE NE$ A SOCIAL SY/EM ?AT FO/]S & REW>DS ?OSE QUALITIES RA!R ?AN BL9D OB$I5CE & IMPASSIVITY4 

,:O ,LOSES8 

  

,9 CONTRA/ TO =MS ( DECISION-MAK+ 9 :I* EV]YONE'S NE$S MATT]1 ! DISEMP[]M5T ( LOS]S & \T-GR\PS IS C5TRAL TO DEMOCRACY4 ,IT IS WELL KN[N ?AT 9 ANCI5T ,A!NS1 ! 0CRADLE ( DEMOCRACY10 SC>CELY AN EI<? ( ! POPULATION WAS P]MITT$ TO VOTE1 AS WOM51 =EIGN]S1 SLAVES1 & O!RS W]E EXCLUD$ FROM CITIZ5%IP4 ,?IS IS G5]ALLY REG>D$ AS AN E>LY K9K ?AT TIME HAS IRON$ \T1 BUT ONE C\LD ALSO CONCLUDE ?AT EXCLUSION ITSELF IS ! MO/ ESS5TIAL & ABID+ *>ACT]I/IC ( DEMOCRACY3 MILLIONS :O LIVE 9 ! ,UNIT$ ,/ATES TODAY >E NOT P]MITT$ TO VOTE EI!R1 & ! DI/9CTIONS BETWE5 CITIZ5 & NON-CITIZ5 HAVE NOT ]OD$ SIGNIFICANTLY 9 #be YE>S4 ,EV]Y B\RGEOIS PROP]TY [N] CAN COME UP ) A ?\S& REASONS :Y IT ISN'T PRACTICAL TO ALL[ EV]YONE :O IS AFFECT$ TO %>E 9 DECISION MAK+1 JU/ AS NO BOSS OR BUREAUCRAT W\LD DREAM ( GIV+ HIS EMPLOYES AN EQUAL SAY 9 !IR WORKPLACE1 BUT ?AT DOESN'T MAKE IT ANY LESS EXCLUSIVE4 ,:AT IF DEMOCRACY >OSE 9 ,GREECE NOT AS A /EP 9 ,MAN'S ,PROGRESS ,T[>DS ,FRE$OM1 BUT AS A WAY ( KEEP+ P[] \T ( C]TA9 H&S8  
  

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,DEMOCRACY IS ! MO/ SU/A9ABLE WAY TO MA9TA9 ! DIVISION BETWE5 P[]FUL & P[]LESS BECAUSE IT GIVES ! GREATE/ POSSIBLE NUMB] ( PEOPLE 9C5TIVE TO DEF5D ?AT DIVISION4 

,?AT'S :Y ! HI<-WAT] M>K ( DEMOCRACY--ITS CURR5T ASC5DANCY >\ND ! GLOBE--CORRESPONDS ) UNPREC$5T$ 9EQUALITIES 9 ! DI/RIBUTION ( RES\RCES & P[]4 ,DICTATOR%IPS >E 9H]5TLY UN/ABLE3 Y\ CAN SLAU<T]1 IMPRISON1 & BRA9WA% 5TIRE G5]ATIONS & !IR *ILDR5 WILL 9V5T ! /RUGGLE = FRE$OM ANEW4 ,BUT PROMISE EV]Y MAN ! OPPORTUNITY TO BE A DICTATOR1 TO BE ABLE TO =CE ! 0WILL ( ! MAJORITY0 UPON HIS FELL[S RA!R ?AN WORK ?R\< DISAGREEM5TS LIKE A MATURE ADULT1 & Y\ CAN BUILD A COMMON FRONT ( DE/RUCTIVE SELF-9T]E/ AGA9/ ! COOP]ATION & COLLECTIVITY ?AT MAKE 9DIVIDUAL FRE$OM POSSIBLE4 ,ALL ! BETT] IF !RE >E EV5 MORE REPRESSIVE DICTATOR%IPS >\ND TO PO9T TO AS 0!0 ALT]NATIVE1 SO Y\ CAN GLORIFY ALL ?IS 9 ! RHETORIC ( LIB]TY4 

,CAPITALISM & ,DEMOCRACY 

  

,N[ LET'S SUSP5D \R MISGIV+S AB\T DEMOCRACY LONG 5\< TO CONSID] :E!R1 IF IT W]E AN EFFECTIVE MEANS = PEOPLE TO %>E P[] OV] !IR LIVES1 IT C\LD BE COMPATIBLE ) CAPITALISM4 ,9 A DEMOCRACY1 9=M$ CITIZ5S >E SUPPOS$ TO VOTE ACCORD+ TO !IR 5LI<T5$ SELF-9T]E/--BUT :O CONTROLS ! FL[ ( 9=MATION1 IF NOT WEAL?Y EXECUTIVES8 ,!Y CAN'T HELP BUT SKEW !IR COV]AGE ACCORD+ TO !IR CLASS 9T]E/S1 & Y\ CAN H>DLY BLAME !M--! NEWSPAP]S & NETWORKS ?AT DIDN'T FL9* AT ALI5AT+ CORPORATE ADV]TIZ]S W]E RUN \T ( BUS9ESS LONG AGO BY COMPETITORS ) FEW] SCRUPLES4 

,LIKEWISE1 VOT+ MEANS *OOS+ BETWE5 OPTIONS1 ACCORD+ TO :I* POSSIBILITIES SEEM MO/ DESIRABLE--BUT :O SETS ! OPTIONS1 :O E/ABLI%ES :AT IS CONSID]$ POSSIBLE1 :O CON/RUCTS DESIRE ITSELF BUT ! WEAL?Y PATRI>*S ( ! POLITICAL E/ABLI%M5T1 & !IR NEPHEWS 9 ADV]TIS+ & PUBLIC RELATIONS FIRMS8 ,9 ! ,UNIT$ ,/ATES1 ! TWO-P>TY SY/EM HAS R$UC$ POLITICS TO *OOS+ ! LESS] ( TWO ID5TICAL EVILS1 BO? ( :I* ANSW] TO !IR FUND]S BE=E ANYONE ELSE4 ,SURE1 ! P>TIES DIFF] OV] EXACTLY H[ MU* TO REPRESS P]SONAL FRE$OMS OR SP5D ON BOMBS--BUT DO WE EV] GET TO VOTE ON :O CONTROLS 0PUBLIC0 SPACES SU* AS %OPP+ MALLS1 OR :E!R WORK]S >E 5TITL$ TO ! FULL PRODUCT ( !IR LABOR1 OR ANY O!R QUE/ION ?AT C\LD S]I\SLY *ANGE ! WAY WE LIVE8 ,9 SU* A /ATE ( AFFAIRS1 ! ESS5TIAL FUNCTION ( ! DEMOCRATIC PROCESS IS TO LIMIT ! APPE>ANCE ( :AT IS POSSIBLE TO ! N>R[ SPECTRUM DEBAT$ BY C&IDATES = (FICE4 ,?IS DEMORALIZES DISSID5TS & CONTRIBUTES TO ! G5]AL IMPRESSION ?AT !Y >E IMPOT5T UTOPIANS--:5 NO?+ IS MORE UTOPIAN ?AN TRU/+ REPRES5TATIVES FROM ! [N+ CLASS TO SOLVE ! PROBLEMS CAUS$ BY !IR [N DOM9ANCE1 & NO?+ MORE IMPOT5T ?AN ACCEPT+ !IR POLITICAL SY/EM AS ! ONLY POSSIBLE SY/EM4 

,ULTIMATELY1 ! MO/ TRANSP>5T DEMOCRATIC POLITICAL PROCESS WILL ALWAYS BE TRUMP$ BY ECONOMIC MATT]S SU* AS PROP]TY [N]%IP4 ,EV5 IF WE C\LD CONV5E EV]YONE1 CAPITALI/S & CONVICTS ALIKE1 9 ONE VA/ G5]AL ASSEMBLY1 :AT W\LD PREV5T ! SAME DYNAMICS ?AT RULE ! M>KETPLACE FROM SPILL+ OV] 9TO ?AT SPACE8 ,SO LONG AS RES\RCES >E UNEV5LY DI/RIBUT$1 ! RI* CAN ALWAYS BUY O!RS' VOTES3 EI!R LIT]ALLY1 OR BY PROMIS+ !M A PIECE ( ! PIE1 OR ELSE BY MEANS ( PROPAG&A & 9TIMIDATION4 ,9TIMIDATION MAY BE OBLIQUE--0,?OSE RADICALS WANT TO TAKE AWAY Y\R H>D-E>N$ PROP]TY0--OR AS OV]T AS ! BLOODY GANG W>S ?AT ACCOMPANI$ ELECTORAL CAMPAIGNS 9 N9ETE5? C5TURY ,AM]ICA4 

,?US1 EV5 AT BE/1 DEMOCRACY CAN ONLY S]VE ITS PURPORT$ PURPOSE IF IT OCCURS AMONG ?OSE :O EXPLICITLY OPPOSE CAPITALISM & =SWE> ITS PRIZES--& 9 ?OSE CIRCLES1 !RE >E ALT]NATIVES ?AT MAKE A LOT MORE S5SE ?AN MAJORITY RULE4 

,IT'S NO CO9CID5CE FRE$OM IS NOT ON ! BALLOT4 

  

,FRE$OM IS A QUALITY ( ACTIVITY1 NOT A CONDITION ?AT EXI/S 9 A VACUUM3 IT IS A PRIZE TO BE WON DAILY1 NOT A POSSESSION ?AT CAN BE KEPT 9 ! BASEM5T & TAK5 \T & POLI%$ UP = P>ADES4 ,FRE$OM CANNOT BE GIV5--! MO/ Y\ CAN HOPE IS TO FREE O!RS FROM ! =CES ?AT PREV5T !M FROM F9D+ IT !MSELVES4 ,REAL FRE$OM HAS NO?+ TO DO ) VOT+2 BE+ FREE DOESN'T MEAN SIMPLY BE+ ABLE TO *OOSE BETWE5 OPTIONS1 BUT ACTIVELY P>TICIPAT+ 9 E/ABLI%+ ! OPTIONS 9 ! FIR/ PLACE4 

,IF ! FRE$OM = :I* SO MANY G5]ATIONS HAVE F\<T & DI$ IS BE/ EXEMPLIFI$ BY A MAN 9 A VOT+ BOO? *ECK+ A BOX ON A BALLOT BE=E RETURN+ TO WORK 9 AN 5VIRONM5T NO MORE UND] HIS CONTROL ?AN IT WAS BE=E1 !N ! H]ITAGE \R EMANCIPAT+ =EFA!RS & SUFFRAGETTE GR&MO!RS HAVE LEFT US IS NO?+ BUT A %AM SUB/ITUTE = ! LIB]TY !Y S\<T4 

,= A BETT] ILLU/RATION ( REAL FRE$OM 9 ACTION1 LOOK AT ! MUSICIAN 9 ! ACT ( IMPROVIS+ ) H] COMPANIONS3 9 JOY\S1 SEEM+LY EF=TLESS COOP]ATION1 !Y CREATE A SONIC & EMOTIONAL 5VIRONM5T1 TRANS=M+ ! WORLD ?AT 9 TURN TRANS=MS !M4 ,TAKE ?IS MODEL & EXT5D IT TO EV]Y ONE ( \R 9T]ACTIONS ) EA* O!R & Y\ W\LD HAVE SOME?+ QUALITATIVELY DIFF]5T FROM \R PRES5T SY/EM--A H>MONY 9 HUMAN RELATION%IPS & ACTIVITY4 ,TO GET !RE FROM H]E1 WE HAVE TO DISP5SE ) VOT+ AS ! >*ETYPAL EXPRESSION ( FRE$OM & P>TICIPATION4 

,REPRES5TATIVE DEMOCRACY IS A CONTRADICTION4 

,NO ONE CAN REPRES5T Y\R P[] & 9T]E/S = Y\--Y\ CAN ONLY HAVE P[] BY WIELD+ IT1 Y\ CAN ONLY LE>N :AT Y\R 9T]E/S >E BY GETT+ 9VOLV$4 ,POLITICIANS MAKE C>E]S \T ( CLAIM+ TO REPRES5T O!RS1 AS IF FRE$OM & POLITICAL P[] C\LD BE HELD BY PROXY2 9 FACT1 !Y >E A PRIE/ CLASS ?AT ANSW]S ONLY TO ITSELF1 & !IR V]Y EXI/5CE IS PRO( ( \R DIS5FRAN*ISEM5T4 

,VOT+ 9 ELECTIONS IS AN EXPRESSION ( \R P[]LESSNESS3 IT IS AN ADMISSION ?AT WE CAN ONLY APPROA* ! RES\RCES & CAPABILITIES ( \R [N SOCIETY ?R\< ! M$IATION ( ?AT PRIE/ CA/E4 ,:5 WE LET !M PREFABRICATE \R OPTIONS = US1 WE REL9QUI% CONTROL ( \R COMMUNITIES TO !SE POLITICIANS 9 ! SAME WAY ?AT WE HAVE C$$ TE*NOLOGY TO 5G9E]S1 HEAL? C>E TO DOCTORS1 & CONTROL ( \R LIV+ 5VIRONM5TS TO CITY PLANN]S & PRIVATE REAL E/ATE DEVELOP]S4 ,WE 5D UP LIV+ 9 A WORLD ?AT IS ALI5 TO US1 EV5 ?\< \R LABOR HAS BUILT IT1 = WE HAVE ACT$ LIKE SLEEPWALK]S HYPNOTIZ$ BY ! MONOPOLY \R LEAD]S & SPECIALI/S HOLD ON SETT+ ! POSSIBILITIES4 

,BUT WE DON'T HAVE TO SIMPLY *OOSE BETWE5 PRESID5TIAL C&IDATES1 S(T DR9K BR&S1 TELEVISION %[S1 & POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES4 ,WE CAN MAKE \R [N DECISIONS AS 9DIVIDUALS & COMMUNITIES1 WE CAN MAKE \R [N DELICI\S BEV]AGES & SOCIAL /RUCTURES & P[]1 WE CAN E/ABLI% A NEW SOCIETY ON ! BASIS ( FRE$OM & COOP]ATION4 

,SOMETIMES A C&IDATE APPE>S :O SAYS EV]Y?+ PEOPLE HAVE BE5 SAY+ TO EA* O!R = A LONG TIME--HE SEEMS TO HAVE APPE>$ FROM \TSIDE ! WORLD ( POLITICS1 TO REALLY BE ONE ( US4 ,BY P]SUASIVELY CRITIQU+ ! SY/EM )9 ITS [N LOGIC1 HE SUBTLY P]SUADES PEOPLE ?AT ! SY/EM CAN BE RE=M$--?AT IT C\LD WORK1 IF ONLY ! RI<T PEOPLE W]E 9 P[]4 ,?US A LOT ( 5]GY ?AT W\LD HAVE GONE 9TO *ALL5G+ ! SY/EM ITSELF IS R$IRECT$ 9TO BACK+ YET ANO!R C&IDATE = (FICE1 :O 9EVITABLY FAILS TO DELIV]4 

,BUT :]E DO !SE C&IDATES--& MORE IMPORTANTLY1 !IR IDEAS & MOM5TUM--COME FROM8 ,H[ DO !Y RISE 9TO ! SPOTLI<T8 ,!Y ONLY RECEIVE SO MU* ATT5TION BECAUSE !Y >E DRAW+ ON POPUL> S5TIM5TS2 (T51 !Y >E EXPLICITLY TRY+ TO DIV]T 5]GY FROM EXI/+ GRASS-ROOTS MOVEM5TS4 ,SO %\LD WE PUT \R 5]GY 9TO SUPPORT+ !M1 OR 9TO BUILD+ ON ! MOM5TUM ?AT =C$ !M TO TAKE RADICAL /ANCES 9 ! FIR/ PLACE8 

,MORE FREQU5TLY1 WE >E T]RORIZ$ 9TO FOCUS+ ON ! ELECTORAL SPECTACLE BY ! PROSPECT ( BE+ RUL$ BY ! WOR/ POSSIBLE C&IDATES4 0,:AT IF HE GETS 9TO P[]80 ,TO ?9K ?AT ?+S C\LD GET EV5 WORSE6 

,BUT ! PROBLEM IS ?AT ! GOV]NM5T HAS SO MU* P[] 9 ! FIR/ PLACE--O!RWISE1 IT W\LDN'T MATT] AS MU* :O HELD ! REIGNS4 ,SO LONG AS ?IS IS ! CASE1 !RE WILL ALWAYS BE TYRANTS4 ,?IS IS :Y IT IS ALL ! MORE IMPORTANT ?AT WE PUT \R 5]GY 9TO ! LA/+ SOLUTION ( OPPOS+ ! P[] ( ! /ATE4 

,BUT :AT >E ! ALT]NATIVES TO DEMOCRACY8 

  
,CONS5SUS 

  

,CONS5SUS-BAS$ DECISION-MAK+ IS ALREADY PRACTIC$ >\ND ! GLOBE1 FROM 9DIG5\S COMMUNITIES 9 ,LAT9 ,AM]ICA & DIRECT ACTION GR\PS 9 ,EUROPE TO ORGANIC F>M+ COOP]ATIVES 9 ,AU/RALIA4 ,9 CONTRA/ TO REPRES5TATIVE DEMOCRACY1 ! P>TICIPANTS TAKE P>T 9 ! DECISION-MAK+ PROCESS ON AN ONGO+ BASIS & EX]CISE REAL CONTROL OV] !IR DAILY LIVES4 ,UNLIKE MAJORITY-RULE DEMOCRACY1 CONS5SUS PROCESS VALUES ! NE$S & CONC]NS ( EA* 9DIVIDUAL EQUALLY2 IF ONE P]SON IS UNHAPPY ) A RESOLUTION1 IT IS EV]YONE'S RESPONSIBILITY TO F9D A NEW SOLUTION ?AT IS ACCEPTABLE TO ALL4 ,CONS5SUS-BAS$ DECISION-MAK+ DOES NOT DEM& ?AT ANY P]SON ACCEPT O!RS' P[] OV] H]1 ?\< IT DOES REQUIRE ?AT EV]YBODY CONSID] EV]YONE ELSE'S NE$S2 :AT IT LOSES 9 EFFICI5CY IT MAKES UP T5FOLD 9 FRE$OM & ACC\NTABILITY4 ,9/EAD ( ASK+ ?AT PEOPLE ACCEPT LEAD]S OR F9D COMMON CAUSE BY HOMOG5IZ+ !MSELVES1 PROP] CONS5SUS PROCESS 9TEGRATES EV]YONE 9TO A WORK+ :OLE :ILE ALL[+ EA* TO RETA9 HIS OR H] [N AUTONOMY4 

,AUTONOMY 

  

,TO BE FREE1 Y\ MU/ HAVE CONTROL OV] Y\R IMM$IATE SURR\ND+S & ! BASIC MATT]S ( Y\R LIFE4 ,NO ONE IS MORE QUALIFI$ ?AN Y\ >E TO DECIDE H[ Y\ LIVE2 NO ONE %\LD BE ABLE TO VOTE ON :AT Y\ DO ) Y\R TIME & Y\R POT5TIAL UNLESS Y\ 9VITE !M TO4 ,TO CLAIM !SE PRIVILEGES = Y\RSELF & RESPECT !M 9 O!RS IS TO CULTIVATE AUTONOMY4  
  

,R,E,P,R,E,S,5,T,A,T,I,O,N 6"7 ,S,E,L,F-,D,E,T,],M,9,A,T,I,O,N  
  

,AUTONOMY IS NOT TO BE CONFUS$ ) SO-CALL$ 9DEP5D5CE3 9 ACTUALITY1 NO ONE IS 9DEP5D5T1 S9CE \R LIVES ALL DEP5D ON EA* O!R4.<#a.> ,! GLAM\RIZATION ( SELF-SUFFICI5CY 9 COMPETITIVE SOCIETY IS AN UND]H&$ WAY TO ACCUSE ?OSE :O WILL NOT EXPLOIT O!RS ( BE+ RESPONSIBLE = !IR [N POV]TY2 AS SU*1 IT IS ONE ( ! MO/ SIGNIFICANT OB/ACLES TO BUILD+ COMMUNITY4.<#b.> ,9 CONTRA/ TO ?IS ,WE/]N MIRAGE1 AUTONOMY (F]S A FREE 9T]DEP5D5CE BETWE5 PEOPLE :O %>E CONS5SUS4 

,AUTONOMY IS ! ANTI!SIS ( BUREAUCRACY4 ,!RE IS NO?+ MORE EFFICI5T ?AN PEOPLE ACT+ ON !IR [N 9ITIATIVE AS !Y SEE FIT1 & NO?+ MORE 9EFFICI5T ?AN ATTEMPT+ TO DICTATE EV]YONE'S ACTIONS FROM ABOVE--?AT IS1 UNLESS Y\R FUNDAM5TAL GOAL IS TO CONTROL O!R PEOPLE4 ,TOP-D[N COORD9ATION IS ONLY NECESS>Y :5 PEOPLE MU/ BE MADE TO DO SOME?+ !Y W\LD NEV] DO ( !IR [N ACCORD2 LIKEWISE1 OBLIGATORY UNI=MITY1 H[EV] HORIZONTALLY IT IS IMPOS$1 CAN ONLY EMP[] A GR\P BY DISEMP[]+ ! 9DIVIDUALS :O COMPRISE IT4 ,CONS5SUS CAN BE AS REPRESSIVE AS DEMOCRACY UNLESS ! P>TICIPANTS RETA9 !IR AUTONOMY4 

,AUTONOM\S 9DIVIDUALS CAN COOP]ATE )\T AGREE+ ON A %>$ AG5DA1 SO LONG AS EV]YONE B5EFITS FROM EV]YONE ELSE'S P>TICIPATION4 ,GR\PS ?AT COOP]ATE ?US CAN CONTA9 CONFLICTS & CONTRADICTIONS1 JU/ AS EA* ( US DOES 9DIVIDUALLY1 & /ILL EMP[] ! P>TICIPANTS4 ,LET'S LEAVE M>*+ UND] A S+LE FLAG TO ! MILIT>Y4 

,F9ALLY1 AUTONOMY 5TAILS SELF-DEF5SE4 ,AUTONOM\S GR\PS HAVE A /AKE 9 DEF5D+ !MSELVES AGA9/ ! 5CROA*M5TS ( ?OSE :O DO NOT RECOGNIZE !IR RI<T TO SELF-DET]M9ATION1 & 9 EXP&+ ! T]RITORY ( AUTONOMY & CONS5SUS BY DO+ EV]Y?+ 9 !IR P[] TO DE/ROY CO]CIVE /RUCTURES4 

,TOPLESS ,F$]ATIONS 

  

,9DEP5D5T AUTONOM\S GR\PS CAN WORK TOGE!R 9 F$]ATIONS )\T ANY ( !M WIELD+ AU?ORITY4 ,SU* A /RUCTURE S\NDS UTOPIAN1 BUT IT CAN ACTUALLY BE QUITE PRACTICAL & EFFICI5T4 ,9T]NATIONAL MAIL DELIV]Y & RAILWAY TRAVEL BO? WORK ON ?IS SY/EM1 TO NAME TWO EXAMPLES3 :ILE 9DIVIDUAL PO/AL & TRANSPORTATION SY/EMS >E 9T]NALLY HI]>*ICAL1 !Y ALL COOP]ATE TOGE!R TO GET MAIL OR RAIL PASS5G]S FROM ONE NATION TO ANO!R )\T AN ULTIMATE AU?ORITY BE+ NECESS>Y AT ANY PO9T 9 ! PROCESS4 ,SIMIL>LY1 9DIVIDUALS :O CANNOT AGREE 5\< TO WORK TOGE!R )9 ONE COLLECTIVE CAN /ILL COEXI/ 9 SEP>ATE GR\PS4 ,= ?IS TO WORK 9 ! LONG RUN1 ( C\RSE1 WE NE$ TO 9/ILL VALUES ( COOP]ATION1 CONSID]ATION1 & TOL]ANCE 9 ! COM+ G5]ATIONS--BUT ?AT'S EXACTLY :AT WE >E PROPOS+1 & WE CAN H>DLY DO WORSE AT ?IS TASK ?AN ! P>TISANS ( CAPITALISM & HI]>*Y HAVE4 

,DIRECT ,ACTION 

  

,AUTONOMY NECESSITATES ?AT Y\ ACT = Y\RSELF3 ?AT RA!R ?AN WAIT+ = REQUE/S TO PASS ?R\< ! E/ABLI%$ *ANNELS ONLY TO BOG D[N 9 PAP]WORK & 5DLESS NEGOTIATIONS1 E/ABLI% Y\R [N *ANNELS 9/EAD4 ,?IS IS CALL$ DIRECT ACTION4 ,IF Y\ WANT HUNGRY PEOPLE TO HAVE FOOD TO EAT1 DON'T JU/ GIVE MONEY TO A BUREAUCRATIC *>ITY ORGANIZATION--F9D \T :]E FOOD IS GO+ TO WA/E1 COLLECT IT1 & %>E4 ,IF Y\ WANT AF=DABLE H\S+1 DON'T TRY TO GET ! T[N C\NCIL TO PASS A BILL--?AT WILL TAKE YE>S1 :ILE PEOPLE SLEEP \TSIDE EV]Y NI<T2 TAKE OV] AB&ON$ BUILD+S1 OP5 !M UP TO ! PUBLIC1 & ORGANIZE GR\PS TO DEF5D !M :5 ! ?UGS ( ! ABS5TEE L&LORDS %[ UP4 ,IF Y\ WANT CORPORATIONS TO HAVE LESS P[]1 DON'T PETITION ! POLITICIANS !Y B\<T TO PUT LIMITS ON !IR [N MA/]S--TAKE ?AT P[] FROM !M Y\RSELF4 ,DON'T BUY !IR PRODUCTS1 DON'T WORK = !M1 SABOTAGE !IR BILLBO>DS & (FICES1 PREV5T !IR MEET+S FROM TAK+ PLACE & !IR M]*&ISE FROM BE+ DELIV]$4 ,!Y USE SIMIL> TACTICS TO EX]T !IR P[] OV] Y\1 TOO--IT ONLY LOOKS VALID BECAUSE !Y B\<T UP ! LAWS & VALUES ( Y\R SOCIETY LONG BE=E Y\ W]E BORN4 

,DON'T WAIT = P]MISSION OR LEAD]%IP FROM SOME \TSIDE AU?ORITY1 DON'T BEG SOME HI<] P[] TO ORGANIZE Y\R LIFE = Y\4 ,TAKE ! 9ITIATIVE6 

,H[ TO ,SOLVE ,DISAGREEM5TS )\T ,CALL+ ! ,AU?ORITIES 

  

,9 A SOCIAL >RANGEM5T ?AT IS TRULY 9 ! BE/ 9T]E/ ( EA* P>TICIPAT+ 9DIVIDUAL1 ! ?REAT ( EXCLUSION %\LD BE 5\< TO DISC\RAGE MO/ DE/RUCTIVE OR DISRESPECTFUL BEHAVIOR4 ,EV5 :5 IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO AVOID1 EXCLUSION IS C]TA9LY A MORE HUMANIT>IAN APPROA* ?AN PRISONS & EXECUTIONS1 :I* CORRUPT POLICE & JUDGES AS MU* AS !Y EMBITT] CRIM9ALS4 ,?OSE :O REFUSE TO RESPECT O!RS' NE$S1 :O WILL NOT 9TEGRATE !MSELVES 9TO ANY COMMUNITY1 MAY F9D !MSELVES BANI%$ FROM SOCIAL LIFE--BUT ?AT IS /ILL BETT] ?AN EXILE 9 ! M5TAL W>D OR ON DEA? R[1 TWO ( ! POSSIBILITIES AWAIT+ SU* PEOPLE TODAY4 ,VIOL5CE %\LD ONLY BE US$ BY COMMUNITIES 9 SELF-DEF5SE1 NOT ) ! SMUG S5SE ( 5TITLEM5T ) :I* IT IS APPLI$ BY \R PRES5T 9JU/ICE SY/EM4 ,UN=TUNATELY1 9 A WORLD GOV]N$ BY =CE1 AUTONOM\S CONS5SUS-BAS$ GR\PS >E LIKELY TO F9D !MSELVES AT ODDS ) ?OSE :O DO NOT ABIDE BY COOP]ATIVE OR TOL]ANT VALUES2 !Y MU/ BE C>EFUL NOT TO LOSE ?OSE VALUES !MSELVES 9 ! PROCESS ( DEF5D+ !M4 

,S]I\S DISAGREEM5TS )9 COMMUNITIES CAN BE SOLV$ 9 MANY CASES BY REORGANIZ+ OR SUBDIVID+ GR\PS4 ,(T5 9DIVIDUALS :O CAN'T GET ALONG 9 ONE SOCIAL CONFIGURATION HAVE MORE SUCCESS COOP]AT+ 9 ANO!R SETT+ OR AS MEMB]S ( P>ALLEL COMMUNITIES4 ,IF CONS5SUS CANNOT BE REA*$ )9 A GR\P1 ?AT GR\P CAN SPLIT 9TO SMALL] GR\PS ?AT CAN A*IEVE IT 9T]NALLY--SU* A ?+ MAY BE 9CONV5I5T & FRU/RAT+1 BUT IT IS BETT] ?AN GR\P DECISIONS ULTIMATELY BE+ MADE BY =CE BY ?OSE :O HAVE ! MO/ P[]4 ,AS ) 9DIVIDUALS & SOCIETY1 SO ) DIFF]5T COLLECTIVES3 IF ! B5EFITS ( WORK+ TOGE!R \TWEI< ! FRU/RATIONS1 ?AT %\LD BE 9C5TIVE 5\< = PEOPLE TO SORT \T !IR DIFF]5CES4 ,EV5 DRA/ICALLY DISSIMIL> COMMUNITIES /ILL HAVE IT 9 !IR BE/ 9T]E/ TO COEXI/ PEACEFULLY1 & MU/ SOMEH[ NEGOTIATE WAYS TO A*IEVE ?IS444 

,LIV+ ,)\T ,P]MISSION 

  

444?AT'S ! MO/ DIFFICULT P>T1 ( C\RSE4 ,BUT WE'RE NOT TALK+ AB\T JU/ ANO!R SOCIAL SY/EM H]E1 WE'RE TALK+ AB\T A TOTAL TRANS=MATION ( HUMAN RELATIONS--= IT WILL TAKE NO?+ LESS TO SOLVE ! PROBLEMS \R SPECIES FACES TODAY4 ,LET'S NOT KID \RSELVES--UNTIL WE CAN A*IEVE ?IS1 ! VIOL5CE & /RIFE 9H]5T 9 CONFLICT-BAS$ RELATIONS WILL CONT9UE TO 9T5SIFY1 & NO LAW OR SY/EM WILL BE ABLE TO PROTECT US4 ,9 CONS5SUS-BAS$ /RUCTURES1 !RE >E NO FAKE SOLUTIONS1 NO WAYS TO SUPPRESS CONFLICT )\T RESOLV+ IT2 ?OSE :O P>TICIPATE 9 !M MU/ LE>N TO COEXI/ )\T CO]CION & SUBMISSION4  
  

,:OEV] !Y VOTE =1 WE >E UNGOV]NABLE6  
  

,! FIR/ PRECI\S GRA9S ( ?IS NEW WORLD CAN BE F\ND 9 Y\R FRI5D%IPS & LOVE AFFAIRS :5EV] !Y >E FREE FROM P[] DYNAMICS1 :5EV] COOP]ATION OCCURS NATURALLY4 ,IMAG9E ?OSE MOM5TS EXP&$ TO ! SCALE ( \R 5TIRE SOCIETY--?AT'S ! LIFE ?AT WAITS BEYOND DEMOCRACY4 

,IT MAY FEEL LIKE WE >E SEP>AT$ FROM ?AT WORLD BY AN UNCROSSABLE *ASM1 BUT ! WOND]FUL ?+ AB\T CONS5SUS & AUTONOMY IS ?AT Y\ DON'T HAVE TO WAIT = ! GOV]NM5T TO VOTE = !M--Y\ CAN PRACTICE !M RI<T N[ ) ! PEOPLE >\ND Y\4 ,PUT 9TO PRACTICE1 ! VIRTUES ( ?IS WAY ( LIV+ >E CLE>4 ,=M Y\R [N AUTONOM\S GR\P1 ANSW]+ TO NO P[] BUT Y\R [N1 & *ASE D[N FRE$OM = Y\RSELVES1 IF Y\R REPRES5TATIVES WILL NOT DO IT = Y\--S9CE !Y CANNOT DO IT = Y\4 

,APP5DIX3 ,A ,FABLE 

  

,?REE WOLVES & SIX GOATS >E DISCUSS+ :AT TO HAVE = D9N]4 ,ONE C\RAGE\S GOAT MAKES AN IMPASSION$ CASE3 0,WE %\LD PUT IT TO A VOTE60 ,! O!R GOATS FE> = HIS LIFE1 BUT SURPRIS+LY1 ! WOLVES ACQUIESCE4 ,BUT :5 EV]YONE IS PREP>+ TO VOTE1 ! WOLVES TAKE ?REE ( ! GOATS ASIDE4 

0,VOTE ) US TO MAKE ! O!R ?REE GOATS D9N]10 !Y ?REAT54 0,O!RWISE1 VOTE OR NO VOTE1 WE'LL EAT Y\40 

,! O!R ?REE GOATS >E %OCK$ BY ! \TCOME ( ! ELECTION3 A MAJORITY1 9CLUD+ !IR COMRADES1 HAS VOT$ = !M TO BE KILL$ & EAT54 ,!Y PROTE/ 9 \TRAGE & T]ROR1 BUT ! GOAT :O FIR/ SUGGE/$ ! VOTE REBUKES !M3 0,BE ?ANKFUL Y\ LIVE 9 A DEMOCRACY6 ,AT LEA/ WE GOT TO HAVE A SAY 9 ?IS60 

.<#a.> 0,WE/]N MAN FILLS HIS CLOSET ) GROC]IES & CALLS HIMSELF SELF-SUFFICI5T40 -,MOH&AS ,G&HI 

.<#b.> ,! POLITICIANS' MY? ( 0WELF>E MO!RS0 SNAT*+ H>DWORK+ CITIZ5S' RI<TFUL E>N+S1 = EXAMPLE1 DIVIDES 9DIVIDUALS :O MI<T O!RWISE =M COOP]ATIVE GR\PS ) NO USE = POLITICIANS4 

7,S\RCE3 CRIME?9C4COM47 

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,*RONOLOGY 3 
,JANU>Y #a#d1 #bbb 3 ,! ,P>TY'S ,OV] -- ,ADD$4 

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