Intelligent Society

The greatest problem facing Western democracies is not war but like all previous societies, its leaders. The illusion of choice presented by our democracy comes in the form of a vote. This very simple act is supposedly your power to make the government act. The truth is, the vote means little if anything at all, in most democracies.

There is a lack of awareness. The first step to empowerment comes from knowing the legislative acts the government intends to put forward. In a recent example, the Tory regime attempted to pass DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) bill which is anathema to any tech-savvy voter. There was nary a trace of the bill in the media. It is legislation that, in effect, makes illegal most new digital technology for the sole benefit of the music industry. Michael Geist, the Canada research chair of internet and e-commerce law at the University of Ottawa, successfully managed to rally together tech-savvy citizens to delay the bill. Luckily, the Tories have thus far decided to delay the bill due to the Canadian outcry against its utter stupidity.

There is a lack of knowledge. Individuals today hold specialized, rather than general, knowledge and work in cooperation with others to achieve greater goals. In the political arena, the common voter knows little about most proposed policies during an election campaign. Economists who understand taxes can only speak of the efficacy of tax policies. Only computer experts can discuss the intelligence behind software regulations. None of these voices are ever heard during an election campaign. It is rare, if ever, that the general public of intellectuals is polled for their opinion on specific policies. Why do we not ask the economic professors of Canada which tax policies are sensible given the current condition of the Canadian economy? Why do we not ask the civil engineers of Ontario what best solution is there to solve highway congestion? Despite the wealth of knowledge in Canada, the common individual places her vote based on political striation.

There is a lack of analysis. In the age of positivism, society has forgotten the political process. Government policies should be placed under the same strict conditions that any scientific article or engineering proposal would endure. Constructing a bridge incorrectly can cost lives is an engineer's burden. Choosing the wrong surgery is a doctor's burden. Wiring a house incorrectly is an electrician's burden. A politician's burden affects the entire nation. Entering a war incorrectly can cost hundreds of thousands of lives needlessly, as seen by the recent and ongoing Iraq War. Systematic abuse and negligence can lead to the centuries long assault of Canadian natives people. There should be a process by which, politicians propose policies which are then analyzed by the proper intellectuals and the results of their discussions publicized by the media. Speed and efficiency of government bodies is pointless if all its legislation is detrimental to the people.

Democracy arises not from elections but from empowered citizens. A nation without elections but with constituents with knowledge and power to enact change is more democratic than one with an electoral process. The Canadian vote must be backed by analysis and forethought to combat the tyranny of political subterfuge. Canada can be the first to build an intelligent society.

Ultrapunk