Symmocracy is a concept that aims to improve the current democratic system by addressing its shortcomings and striving for greater equality and balance. Here are major ways and principles of symmocracy could be applied to improve the current democratic system:
- Representation: Symmocracy seeks to ensure that all voices are heard and represented in the political process. To achieve this, reforms could be implemented to increase the representation of marginalized communities, such as implementing ranked voting systems, increasing the number of representatives in the legislative body, or implementing more effective redistricting processes.
- Balance of power: Symmocracy seeks to balance the power of different groups within society. In the context of US democracy, this could mean reducing the influence of big money in politics, implementing stronger campaign finance regulations, or increasing the transparency of political spending.
- Transparency and accountability: Symmocracy prioritizes transparency and accountability in government, so that citizens can better understand how decisions are being made and hold their elected representatives accountable. To improve US democracy, this could mean implementing stronger disclosure requirements, increasing access to public records, or implementing more robust investigative mechanisms to monitor government activity.
- Access to information: Symmocracy prioritizes access to information, so that citizens can make informed decisions. In the context of US democracy, this could mean increasing funding for public media outlets, implementing stronger net neutrality protections, or ensuring that all citizens have access to high-speed internet.
- Citizen engagement: Symmocracy seeks to increase citizen engagement in the political process, so that all voices can be heard. In the context of US democracy, this could mean implementing more effective civic education programs, increasing opportunities for public participation in government decision-making, or creating incentives for political involvement.
- Systemic change: Symmocracy prioritizes systemic change to address underlying inequalities and imbalances within society. In the context of US democracy, this could mean implementing structural reforms such as ending gerrymandering, implementing proportional representation systems, or implementing measures to address economic inequality.
- Decentralization: Symmocracy values decentralization, so that power is distributed more evenly throughout society. In the context of US democracy, this could mean implementing reforms to empower local and state governments, reducing the influence of centralized bureaucracies, or implementing measures to promote cooperative ownership of key economic assets.
- Holistic approach: Symmocracy seeks to address social, economic, and political issues in a holistic manner, so that progress can be made in all areas of society. In the context of US democracy, this could mean implementing policies to address issues such as poverty, income inequality, climate change, and public health.
- Evidence-based policy: Symmocracy prioritizes evidence-based policy-making, so that decisions are made based on the best available information and data. In the context of US democracy, this could mean increasing funding for scientific research, implementing measures to increase the availability and transparency of data, or requiring that all policy decisions be based on rigorous evidence and analysis.
- Collaboration: Symmocracy values collaboration, so that all stakeholders can work together to achieve common goals. In the context of US democracy, this could mean implementing reforms to encourage greater cooperation between political parties, promoting cross-sector partnerships, or implementing measures to increase citizen involvement in decision-making.