Liquid democracy
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Liquid democracy is a form of direct democracy with proxy representation allowed. Thus it is also representative democracy, but representatives are chosen rather than elected. In some considerations of liquid democracy, proxy representation is delegable.
In a direct democracy, if there is a meeting or vote taken, every member has the right to attend or vote. In a proxy democracy, suppose member A designates B as proxy (also called "advisor"). If member A does not attend or vote, then B automatically adds the vote of A when attending and voting.
This can be extended to multiple levels of proxy voting. Thus, in delegable proxy democracy, if A names B, who names C, ..., and A and B do not attend or vote, the vote of C is augmented by the votes of A and B.
Theoretically, a delegable proxy organization could select a superproxy, i.e., someone who alone represents the entire organization, without ever holding an election, simply as a result of the choices made by members as to whom to trust as proxy. However, proxy delegations are revocable at any time.
Delegable proxy has been combined with the concept of the Free Association to form a generic organizational technology, theoretically appropriate wherever individuals freely associate for some cooperative purpose.
Research
The Economics, Science and Communications Institute researches and develops practical institutions and tools necessary to allow a system of direct representation, through technological tools and reshaped political dynamics.External links
- http://wiki.uniteddiversity.com/tiki-index.php?page=LiquidDemocracy
- http://twistedmatrix.com/wiki/python/LiquidDemocracy
- http://www.beyondpolitics.org
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