About democracy, inclusion, and communication in a changing populus
A consideration of terms
A populus is an aggregation of people. Here we will speak mostly, for example, of the people of a nation or state. That is the people of a geographic area which they consider "theirs." This is not a necessary condition and you may live to note that the geographic condition is less important.
Communication includes talk. Talk, especially live face to face talk, is a powerful mode of communication. Print and other media are also a powerful ways of communicating of a different sort, different because it can effect a great number of people at a time. However, media is less power than face to face talk because it lacks many of the qualities of face to face talk. Much talk may be carried on between two persons. That talk can be very powerful for them, but may have little effect beyond them. Conversation and discussion are powerful means of communication for a few persons if is broadcasted by media its power is multiplied. Still live, face to face talk can be the most effective. The talk called dialogue can be carried on effectively with as many as 30 or 40 persons at a time. I believe that it is worth our while to learn more about dialogue.
Inclusive talk is a useful sort of communication which includes you and me and others who may be different from you or from me or from both of us. When the group talk is a democratic and inclusive dialogue group that group can be satisfying and powerful.
A dialogue group like this forms a place and time for members to have a more equal opportunity to speak and be heard. Much meaningful understanding as well as respect and friendship can develop in such a group. Dialog groups are usually made up of face to face groups from about three to about thirty individual because groups such size often prove effective and successful.
Democracy is a word used to describe a ruling or governing group. It indicates that those who govern and rule are the people. Democracy can exist with a great number of limitations. An inclusive democracy is one that attempts to limit the limitations. One limitation has been the limitation to a specified area. For example, a city, state, or country, or a city state like ancient Athens or modern Singapore. "Demo" can refer to the people of Singapore, China, or your group. Among us and others the people of a group are citizens.
Citizen is another limiting word. Just because one lived in a specific area did not make him a citizen there. Slaves could not belong to the ruling group, Infants could not be citizens. Sometimes felons were barred from citizenship. So among us a nation of the people, by the people, and for the people were limited to citizenship.
These are terms understood in many dialogue groups. There may be other terms which it would be helpful to define, but this handful makes a good start for now.
This little essay may turn out to be longer than I anticipated. I may consider publishing it in parts. I tend to feel more comfortable with works of only four or five pages. I will almost certainly publish this work at my blog Dialogue With RCS; here there already more than 50 essays on "dialogue" published you may benefit by checking them out.
Dialogue groups can be used for a variety of purposes, including, as a parlor game. Here I am considering them as a useful and probably vital tool of democratic governance. Democratic governance seems to be my principle theme here.
So, Inclusivity is implied by democracy so inclusivity is a guiding principle for democratic dialogue groups and all democratic activities. I like the idea that inclusivity implies some interesting variety. That variety may also be an empowering factor of such groups. Expect your awareness of the value of diversity in our democratic processes ton grow.
An important purpose of the dialogue group I speak of is to provide a safe space and place for the people of these groups to speak. They are made safe from interruption, but are also spaces where appropriate trust can develope, where we get to know one another, where friendship can develop. They are a place where respectful communication is nurtured. However, they are also a place where everyone is not always on the same page. Sometimes a completely new page turns up and we do some interesting learning. Being in a nurturing atmosphere is good, but variety can be the healthy and interesting spice of life.
The power of a dialogue group is in its ability to support effective democratic governance. The facilitate inclusive democracies by providing productive platforms for a greater number and a greater variety of people to support the stable governance of those democracies. More of the involved voices are heard listened to, heard, and understood and all come to better understand their situation and condition. These groups form a safe and open space where individuals from diverse backgrounds can come together to engage in meaningful communication. They can come to be in a place where at they can come to make good and better decisions and perhaps make them mutually. Through the dialogue, participants can share their perspectives, experiences, and concerns, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of the issues at hand. This inclusive approach ensures that the discussion-making process takes into account the needs and intersects of al citizens, of all members of society.
Education, learning, awareness, in accord with the realities of our community
We have learning to do. Practice helps. Education and a willingness to be a more aware heps. Recognizing democratic processes is important. Active engagement in democratic processes and and practice in carrying them out is important. Showing up is a great start and a great follow through. We learn best where and when the most voices are heard. Heard one at a time so that we hear them well. Inclusivity and diverse perspectives are valuable reality check.
In our dialogue groups the comfort of a group in which a most members are of very similar views, beliefs, and background is in an unstable dream world in groups interested in governance. We want the reality and actuality of the society to have representation. That is an important approach is to ensure that the composition of the group reflects the diversity reality of the citizen population. We want to have a group which is as representative of, for example, our town as we can. So, probably some seeking out and invitations may be called for. y including a range of perspectives, our group can better understand and address the realities of our community of interest.
We want a safe just and realistic ambient for our dialogue group. This involves establishing ground rules which promote respectful and open communication, Where participants can feel comfortable sharing their experiences and opinions. It can be and should be arranged that each and every member have equal opportunities to be heard. It is important to maintain an environment where participants feel empowered to express themselves with fear of negative judgement or reprisal. At best the oral offering(Speach) of each member ought to be welcomed as a pressesh gift.
Dialogue groups can provide a platform for marginalized voices, underrepresented citizens, and persons new to the political conversation of the society. They can better learn the nature of the democratic process in their larger community and learn how to be heard their. The participatory democracy we speak of here aims to involve citizens in the decision-making process. Our dialogue groups can help address power imbalances and promote inclusivity in the process of governance.
The nature of a politically oriented dialogue group
Politics is not always a bad word.
So, we can see that our dialogue can be an important way of taking care of ourselves together. Taking care of ourselves together can be called democratic governance.
Such dialogue is best when it is inclusive. Awareness of the importance and value of diversity in our democratic process needs to be kept high in our minds. As should keeping a safe space available in which to nurture open and respectful conversation. We profit greatly by maintaining a platform whereat our voices can be heard. In this space individuals from diverse backgrounds can come together in meaningful conversation. They can begin to share perspectives, experiences, and concerns, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of the issues at hand.
This inclusive approach can be vital to ensuring that this transformative journey plays a crucial role in bringing us to a decision-making process which leads to action that is to our lasting benefit. Inclusion promotes social cohesion and well functioning communities. Inclusive dialogue can foster empathy, mutual understanding, and more effective action. Such dialogue groups contribute to system change that embraces and supports participation in the working of democracy. Our participation in democracy through dialogue groups creates an environment wherein diverse voices are heard, understood, and valued. Open dialogue and inclusive decision-making lead to the useful actions of a democratic society.
As we have come to see from our experience and the essays on this blogsite that listening to learn and understand rather than plotting your fascinating response is a valuable practice. Active, fully present, attentive listening provides much of the value in the dialogue we are speaking of. Through such listening we gain deeper insight into the views and sentiments of our fellows. We come to a more useful understanding of the implications behind their words. You come to be clearly and usefully heard by others in the group as come to more clearly hear and understand them. Empathy among group members improves.
As your group experience continues, group collaboration improves, group dynamics shift for the better. Members find better ways of blending their ideas with those of other members. Your journey into meaningful self-governance is part of your growth and of the development of your community. You are sowing seeds of collective responsibility together.
It is good to remember that democracy is less an destination and more an ongoing journey. It happens in our day to day doing of talk, decisions, and actions. It is an ongoing doing. It can be fueled by curiosity, learning, and understanding. It can be helped a lot by your understanding of and practice of the dialogue you are being introduced to at this blogsite.
Thank you for reading.
Richard
