Direct democracy refers to a political system in which citizens hold both legislative (law-making) and executive (governance) functions, directly participating in decision-making and the execution of public policies. In this alternate timeline, modern nation-states have evolved around the principle of direct democracy, implementing innovative institutions, coalitions, and digital tools to enable more citizen-driven governance.
In this alternate timeline, monarchies and traditional legislative bodies such as parliaments and congresses have been eliminated to create a more fluid and participatory government. Instead, popular interest groups form coalitions, establishing power-sharing agreements to govern. These coalitions are not bound by ideological or party lines but are organized around specific issues, such as education, healthcare, environment, economy, and civil rights.
The coalitions work together to draft and implement policies that align with their areas of interest, ensuring that a more diverse range of perspectives are considered in the decision-making process. Citizens have the right to petition these coalitions to address pressing issues, and key decisions are put to a vote using secure and accessible e-voting systems.
To prevent the concentration of power and ensure that multiple perspectives are taken into account, citizens in this timeline hold both legislative and executive functions, with these duties being circulated dynamically. This means that citizens can assume positions of responsibility and governance at various levels and for different periods.
Citizens can participate in various aspects of governance, such as drafting legislation, contributing to public administration, or holding local office. This dynamic circulation of political duties encourages shared responsibility and prevents power from being held in the hands of a few.
In this alternate timeline, direct democracies have adopted a wide array of digital tools like blockchain, secure e-voting systems, decentralized apps, and smart contracts to streamline and decentralize governance, accounting, and legal processes.
Blockchain technology, for instance, has provided a secure and transparent system for recording and executing legal contracts, creating an immutable record of all transactions and decisions. Decentralized apps have enabled citizens to engage in governance from home, improving accessibility and increasing citizen participation.
Secure e-voting systems facilitate fast and efficient decision-making, enabling citizens to participate in balloting from anywhere with internet access. Despite the need to manage digital risks and maintain information security, digital tools have allowed direct democracies to flourish, offering citizens unprecedented power and control over their lives and their communities.
