To perform well, when measured by the fulfillment of their purpose, systems of governing have to be knowingly designed. Today, these systems vary considerably around the world. Some have been designed, some have evolved, some hijacked, some have simply atrophied. They are all out of date, some in part and some in whole.
Arising from our research and analysis – drawing on the work of many thinkers and practitioners – Ray Ison and I have developed these principles for systemic governing.
Good things don’t just happen because they are good. Incorporated into constitutions for every level of government along with skilled ‘performers’ – citizens, politicians, officials, advisers – these principles will make them happen. The detail behind them is in Chapter 11 of our book.
1. The biophysical world is incorporated as the central partner in our governing systems.
2. People and constitutional sovereignty: All political power resides in the people, who delegate a defined measure of that power to a government and other institutions.
3. Rule of Law: All members of a society (including those in government) are equally subject to publicly disclosed legal codes and processes: the rule of law.
4. A Constitutional Court adjudicates on interpretation of the constitution. Its decisions are binding.
5. Diversity of Lifestyles: All lifestyles are accepted – within the constraint of not harming others or the biosphere.
6. Explicit democratic decisions shall be made as to what is in and what is out of the Commons.
7. Elections shall be representative.
8. A right to deliberative referenda shall exist; specific issues shall be resolved through Engage–Deliberate–Decide.
9. Central government only undertakes tasks or makes decisions which localities cannot or which require uniform regulation.
10. Fourth separation of powers: The world can’t run on lies. A fourth separation of powers shall be incorporated in every system of government for the independent feedback of results through a Resulture.
11. Statutory duties for the behaviour of politicians and officials at work, including the duty of straight speak, shall be set.
12. The first statutory duty of straight speak for shall apply also to the media.
13. We each have a duty to think before we speak.
14. Eliminate institutionalised bribery: No one shall benefit financially or electorally, directly or indirectly, now or later, from a decision in which they are involved or have influenced.
15. Governments shall serve democracy, and be effective, stable, adaptable, accountable, and open.
16. The purpose of government is to produce beneficial change.
17. Recognise that most ‘decisions’ by government are political experiments.
18. Designs for action shall be put into practice in the knowledge and positive acceptance that feedback may result in their amendment.
19. Beneficial change most often results from working with the affected population through the medium of STiP.
20. Technocratic democracy: Government designs for action shall be disciplined through their vetting.
21. Everyone pays their taxes.
22. Companies shall act in the interests of people and the biosphere.
23. End-to-end producer responsibility: Producers are responsible for all impacts of their activities and products, from raw material extraction to product recycling/disposal.
24. Company duty to inform: For each product or service, consumers shall be informed of the biosphere and human impact of its sourcing, manufacture, distribution, and post-use treatment.
25. Systemic inquiry shall accompany investment commitments in the technosphere; thereafter, end-to-end producer responsibility applies.
26. In transitioning from polluting to non-polluting activities, communities and companies shall be supported fairly.