Starr*, thank you for these questions and issues.  I'll try to respond more directly and in more detail, since I think what you are saying is important.  There is a lot to this, and I do agree that there are emerging models or ways of understanding out there that are not yet fully "mature", or have not yet evolved to the point where all the necessary elements are really in place.  We need to find and articulate the balance between "bottom-up" -- input from the grass-roots, the members and participants everywhere -- and any form of "governance" that emerges.  If we are receiving input from 1,000,000 voices -- how do "we" know what they are saying?  How do we interpret their very diverse input?  How can it be organized -- without some unwarrented super-imposition from some other source of authority (ie, the "Kings of the Mountain" you are concerned about)?

In the last few days, I've written a statement that begins to look at these issues, and I will include it here.  In the small group that is looking at this, this question of "top down and bottom up" has already been asked, and I have not yet unfolded or explored the details.  I'm pretty sure that will be possible, though.  I think we can see the answers by combining the best of what we know from "group process" and what we know about democracy when it is most successful and healthy, and from "system science" as a kind of pure design abstraction.  I think these ideas will be clarified, and these issues you raised addressed in an adequate way that can safeguard the process. 

Here is my statement in its current draft form, written for the "Coffee Party" in the USA.  Yes, this is a national vision, not intended for an international audience, so the statement should be interpreted for your own local context, wherever it might be.  It does deal with issues that have arisen within the Coffee Party (the tension between dialogue and advocacy, for example, or the question about building an alliance), and it addresses what the Coffee Party is actually doing right now.  Hope this format is not too messy...

(and yes, one of the guys I am working with has tended to object to the use of the word "American", on the grounds that this language is inherently imperialistic -- some people from South America, for example, don't like this way using the word.  But in the USA, this is simply standard language.  Wikipedia has a good article on this point)

Vision for a New Politics

• Our vision
• Core objectives
• Advocacy - or dialogue and deliberation - or both?
• A single group - or an alliance of groups?
• The power of the individual - the power of the group
• The power of internet organizing - we can do things never before possible
• Independence of local groups - unity and cohesion of the national organization
• Core values and principles
• The power of community
  • Community at many levels
  • Principles of community
  • Top-down and bottom-up
• Network design - what does this organization look like?
  • Local groups organized by geographic proximity, can meet face-to-face
  • Issue and topical groups, organized by subject, can meet over the internet
  • Any group can come together through conference call telephone technology
  • All groups interconnected through a common protocol and body of principles, sharing resources and working together on issues
• Strategy for alliance development
• Coffee Party official statement
• Realizing the full potential of democracy
• A philosophy of network community
• Notes on collaboration and co-creativity
• References and source links

We have a vision for a new politics.

We believe this vision can attract and excite participation throughout the USA. We believe it can lead towards solutions of our most pressing political problems, helping to overcome the "broken government" issues that we currently face.

We think we can inspire hope and excitement and citizen involvement everywhere, as this vision expands and resonates throughout the USA. We think we can initiate a new era of inspired citizen activism.

We think we can attract substantial political leaders, and build a significant and effective multi-purpose political coalition, as leaders of independent movements begin to join us, recognizing the simple clarity and importance of these emerging new ideas.

Our vision is simple and broad, and based on core values inherent in the American tradition, involving the participation of all citizens, and the value of their contributions. We bring together all voices, and the best resources in the country. Our vision is based on universal citizenship and inclusion, and not on partisan ideology.

Using a combination of face-to-face meetings, conference phone calls, and internet systems, we convene an integrated national dialogue on the critical issues facing the nation, cultivating and incorporating expertise on every particular issue under discussion, and connecting all these elements into a common framework. In this way, we strive to convene the entire American electorate into a single conversation, bringing together all voices and all sources of expertise.

The Coffee Party does not need to decide or control which issues are of interest to its members, but can simply allow the members to "self-select" issues they are interested in or excited about. Coffee Party members can organize locally, or organize thematically over the internet, gathering specialized expertise on particular subjects and creating a national network on that subject.

This does not mean that local or independent Coffee Party groups are acting in ways that conflict with one another, or that the actions and policies of local groups are not consistent with the broader underlying principles which guide the national organization. It simply means that any group that wishes to act within the framework of the broader guiding principles can take on any issue of interest to them, and attract as much participation and involvement as they are able. All Coffee Party groups considering a particular issue (e.g., immigration, abortion, money in politics, Afghanistan) should be in contact with one another, working out their differences and establishing a common policy and an informed advocacy position.

The Coffee Party can be understood as a convening agency, intending to bring all Americans together, considering all issues of importance to American citizens anywhere, and helping form and advocate policies that affect all Americans. In this approach, an issue becomes "important" because someone says it is, and the issue grows in importance (and influence and visibility) as more citizens and Coffee Party members agree and become involved with the issue.

Our mission is to find and amplify the voice of American citizens everywhere, and we do this by listening to the voice of American citizens everywhere, giving them a channel through which to express that voice, and organizing their message in a way that can be heard and acted on across the nation.

1. Core Objectives

    

   • Bring all Americans together

      

   • Consider all issues of importance to Americans anywhere

      

   • Convene and organize the "collective intelligence of the American electorate", so as to bring the full wisdom and creative power of the American people into our process of national deliberation and policy-making

      

   • Develop effective means to influence national decisions and policies based on informed consensus we are able to organize

2. Advocacy, Dialogue and Deliberation
   In the process we convene, let us propose that

    

   • On issues and concerns where we agree, we should pursue collaborative advocacy, with the intent to modify national policy

      

   • On issues and concerns where we do not agree, we should pursue dialogue, deliberation and research, working together to form an appropriate vision and policy that we can strongly advocate

3. A Single Group or an Alliance of Groups?

    

   • Are we acting as a single group with a vision, hoping to effect broad change throughout society by acting as a single group?

      

   • Or do we see ourselves as convening an alliance of related and overlapping organizations and groups, concerned with similar and related issues?

      

   • It seems likely and evident that the political energy and power required to create real change in USA politics will probably (almost certainly) involve the need to bring related groups together around basic core objectives. Perhaps we should be working with MoveOn, or the Transpartisan Alliance, or Independent Voter. We can explore how and why this might be possible or desirable.

4. The Power of the Individual - The Power of the Group

    

   • We want to design our work together in a way that supports individual freedom and personal initiative, and does not subsume or crush this individuality within the broader and perhaps insensitive assumptions of a group process.

      

   • We can do this by understanding that the power and integrity and intention of the group is created by and derived from the participation and involvement of individuals, who come together to form the group. As is said in the founding documents of the USA (The Declaration of Independence), the power of the group is derived from "the consent of the governed".

      

   • By using bottom-up methods of statistical correlation, that can establish with precision exactly what is the common ground and body of agreement in a large group of many individuals, we can identify and maintain the authentic unity of the group, and the principles for which it stands as a group, while at the same time continuing to provide absolute freedom of choice to individuals participating in the group.

5. The Power of Internet Organizing - We Can Do Things Never Before Possible
   Though we should be informed about and expert at traditional methods of political organizing, we should not limit ourselves to traditional approaches. We are in a stronger position than any of our predecessors. We should explore and unfold the full power of internet and electronic communications to develop and empower the energy of cohesive and informed community.

    

   • Yes, it is clearly true that we can send email messages and post statements and discussions to web boards and blogs. This is powerful and is having a significant influence everywhere. We can contact and influence political leaders in this way, and we can influence and educate one another through internet conversations.

      

   • But our ability to organize over the internet is not limited to what we can do with prose statements of opinion. There are many other things we can do to organize a powerful and meaningful political movement using internet tools -- things that do not begin to be possible without these tools. We need to study and clarify these options, and energetically develop them.

      

   • We can do detailed surveys and polls, collecting and organizing the opinions and insights of our participants on a large scale.

      

   • We can identify and establish our "common ground" in authoritative ways -- the ideas and principles we have in common, and which can form the basis of our alliance or coalition or group. And not only can we define this common ground in the abstract, as a well-documented body of ideas, but we can establish instant electronic connectivity between persons sharing any element of the emerging body of ideas, principles and objectives. For us, in this context, common ground IS an "instant electronic coalition", with many implications for applied activism.

      

   • We can design a system that is driven by the creative input received from our participants, following a model of "pure democracy" -- while at the same time, organizing this input in clear ways that is then "fed back" to the participants as the correlated sum of their input. This is a model of "servant leadership" that is based on listening and simple clear thnking. In this model, "the leader" is somebody who knows what everybody is thinking, and can organize it in a way that everyone can access.

      

   • This is an important new meaning for "cyber-space" -- a term based on the word "cybernetics" which has to do with the self-regulation of any organic entity through "homeostatis". A cybernetic model of democracy can help the USA (and the world) self-regulate its own energy and interactions in ways that maintain a healthy homeostatic balance of all factors, including economic and ecological. Just as we need systems models of ecology and economics, we need system models of information flow in our process of collective self-governance.

      

   • We can create an internet-driven "Voice of the People" that allows people everywhere to self-organize around issues that are important for them. This approach liberates the creative power of the individual citizen, and creates a framework for national unity that is based on the People themselves, and the deeply shared common values that bind us together as a society and a civilization.

      

   • Particular features (list to be expanded)
     • Tools for national organizing
       • National network of local chapters, coordinated through central integration
       • National network of issue-networks, taking on every issue of concern to Coffee Party members, and linking them to leading voices and sources of expertise
       • Ability to convene specialized expertise on any particular issue
       • Tools and online environments for developing collaborative and co-creative projects
       • Common resource library: links, documents, graphics, files, videos, audio files
     • Tools for local organizing
       • Listserv connecting all participants, connected to web-board for people who want to read their email on the web
       • Calendar of events
       • Resources for local political organizing, including a database of local media outlets and contacts, university political science departments, local political activists

6. Independence of Local Groups and Unity and Cohesion of the National Organization

    

   • We want to encourage local independence and encourage individual initiative. In this way, we can harness and amplify the power of the individual around the particular skills and expertise or motivation brought to us by individuals.

      

   • At the same time, we want local groups to act together in constructive and consistent ways. If two separate local Coffee Party groups are considering the issue of immigration, for example, they should be in contact with one another, considering the issue in terms which are acceptable to members of both groups.

      

   • All local groups should be in alignment with and pledge allegiance to a simple body of core principles which maintain the unity of the movement, and maintain the image and identity and integrity of the movement. Within the framework of that agreement, they should be free to pursue their own interests and inspiration.

7. Core Values and Principles

    

   • We include and embrace and welcome all Americans - without regard to ideology, belief, locale, professional status, wealth, or any other discriminator

      

   • We are not progressive OR moderate OR conservative OR libertarian - but ALL of these and more. We are a "big tent". Because we are not based on an ideology, but on a vision of citizenship, we include everybody, and actively solicit their involvement.

      

   • We take on every issue of concern to Americans

      

   • We bring diverse people together into an environment where people agree to treat each other with respect, to listen to one another despite disagreements, where it is "safe" to hold differing views

      

   • We offer and hold a "melting pot" vision of America, where we "embrace diversity" and see our differences as a source of strength (list reasons why this works)

      

   • Through the Internet, our network is capable of "listening" to the input of millions of people.

      

   • We are able to assimilate and correlate this input, gathering it into coherent units, and refining this process through continuing cycles of feedback and interaction with our participants. This build trust, and gives our participants genuinely meaningful input into the process. Every voice, every participant, influences the process.

      

   • We combine some traditional American values with some emerging new ideas. In this way, we remain consistent with the strongest aspects of our national identity, while moving ahead with new ideas, and helping overcome long-standing problems.

      

   • We promote cooperation and collaboration, presenting this idea not only in terms of modern "group process" ("dialogue", etc.), but also in terms of its traditional role in USA democracy.

      

   • We recognize "unity AND diversity" and "unity IN diversity". We see our differences as a source of strength, because they reflect the world as it actually is, and because the reconciliation of these differences is a powerful creative force for new ideas.

      

   • We have precise, natural, and simple methods for establishing our common ground, and we build the core power of the movement based on this common ground. Because we build our foundation on the input and contributions of our participants, we know exactly where we stand; we know where we agree, we know where we differ, and we know how to move ahead.

      

   • We encourage resonance and trust among our members, and can explain and teach the methods by which resonance and trust are created.

      

   • We encourage and develop new methods for dealing with complexity and the interdependence of issues and agencies

      

   • Fundamental values -- inclusion

      

   • Local independence -- let people pursue their passion and expertise

      

   • Encourage and support "local independence", so that concern with issues is driven by the citizen participants themselves, who can "self-select" themselves into groups - whether organized locally (in terms of geographic locale) or organized around a theme or issue (can be organized nationally)

      

   • The role of leadership is to provide support and coordination, and to help organize, clarify and simplify the input coming from the participants

8. The Power of Community - At Many Levels

    

   1. Community at all of these levels takes a similar form, that includes everyone, is based on mutual respect, works to build trust, and develops collaboration and understanding across all boundaries

       

      • City block

         

      • Neighborhood

         

      • Town/city

         

      • County / region / state

         

      • Nation

         

      • Entire world -- "the community of nations"

       

   2. Principles of community (more to be added -- one source from me is http://sharedpurpose.net/cafe/board.cfm?tsn=100159)

       

      • Everyone is included and welcome

         

      • Everyone agrees to treat all others with respect, regardless of disagreement on issues or particular questions

         

      • Everyone gets a chance to make their statement and express their concern, and their concern is included within any collective deliberation or community decision-making

         

      • We recognize that democracy is strengthened by including a diverse array of voices. In this way, we can inspire confidence on the process of democracy itself, and insure that the agenda is not controlled by a small group that is not sensitive to issues of concern to the people. When everyone has a voice and is included, our process of deliberation is more accurate, because it consider more factors pertinent to the decision, and more facts

       

   3. What does community have to do with politics? Short answer: everything. In a balanced and healthy world, politics is the energy of community, and the way community makes the collective decisions that affect the group. As the Berkana Institute says, "Whatever the problem, community is the answer" (http://berkana.org)

       

   4. Top down and bottom up
      Input from the people (bottom-up) and flow of leadership (top-down) (generally explain what this means and why it is important)

       

      • We do not advocate "top-down OR bottom-up" -- we recognize that both modes play a critical role in the energy and information flow in a healthy democratic republic

         

      • We listen to all voices -- through a bottom-up assimilation of input from all participants

         

      • Leadership can be understood as a form of listening: Leaders compile input from the people into simpler generalizations that they correct, refine and correlate through their relationship with the people. This is a general way to understand leadership -- as leaders gather wisdom, insight, expertise, facts, and all the elements required to forum wise and excellent policies on issues

    

9. The Relationship between Advocacy and Dialogue/Deliberation

    

   • Both are needed, both are appropriate, both are an inherent and essential part of the process of Democracy. The two can and should work together.

      

     • Where we agree, let us pursue collaborative advocacy
     • Where we do not agree, let us pursue dialogue and deliberation and research, to help formulate an appropriate vision and policy

      

   • The Coffee Party should advocate methods for arriving at wise and informed policies, and offer these methods as an inherent part of our policy and platform

      

   • These policies should be developed by convening the "collective intelligence of the American people" and by calling on expertise wherever it is to be found

      

   • We should clearly state that the political policies we advocate are not determined by ideology, but through a method of wise deliberation and reasoning that is guided by a set of core values. All Americans are invited into this process of deliberation and reasoning -- "Come, let us reason together..."

      

   • We cannot effectively or authentically advocate when it is not genuinely clear what the best policy on some issue might be, or where we have not achieved an internal consensus

10. Network Design -- What does this Organization Look Like?
    We are proposing a vision of the Coffee Party as a system of interconnected networks operating across the United States, organized in two basic ways:

     

    • Local groups, coming together in person because of geographic proximity. These groups are like a local version of the whole network in that they are convened by locale and not by specialized interest or expertise. Members can interact in personal ways, and may have substantial differences, not necessarily sharing expertise or interest in specific subjects or issues

       

    • Topical or thematic groups, organized at a national level over the internet, or through telephone conference calls, on specific issues or subjects

       

    • These two major kinds of networks can interact with one another and support one another, as local groups becoming interested in particular issues can link to the national network on that issue

11. Strategy for Alliance Development

     

    • As this document and statement of principles continues to expand and become detailed on specific points, develop a brief "executive summary" version that is designed for fast review by busy people, with links for further information on points of interest. Create multiple alternative versions of this statement, designed for different audiences.

       

    • An alliance can be built by attracting the interest of organizations and individual leaders. Contact leaders who are doing work we find interesting or pertinent or valuable. Invite them to join with us, offering several ways to make their involvement and connection meaningful.

       

    • Get highly visible people to acknowledge and admire this project, and to offer their support for its expansion and success

       

    • Develop meaningful and effective fundraising strategies

       

    • As feasible and appropriate, consider developing a full-time paid staff that can actively expand this work

       

    • Continue to weave the fabric of common ground. There are many organizations and projects in the world doing work that is intimately related or relevant to this vision. We should be contacting these groups, and making their contribution meaningful within the framework of the expanding alliance

12. Coffee Party Official Statement

    Coffee Party USA aims to reinvigorate the public sphere, drawing from diverse backgrounds and diverse perspectives, with the goal of expanding the influence of the People in America's political arena. We do not require nor adhere to any preexisting ideology. We encourage deliberation guided by reason amongst the many viewpoints held by our members. We see our diversity as a strength, not a weakness, because we believe that faithful deliberation from multiple vantage points is the best way to achieve the common good. It is in the responsible and reasonable practice of deliberation that we hope to contribute to society.

    Coffee Party USA is made up of people acting independently of political parties, of corporations, and of political lobbying networks. To this point, all products created and hours logged for Coffee Party have been carried out in the spirit of volunteerism. In the coming months and years, we hope to transform our disappointment in our current political system into a force that will return our nation to a course of popular governance, of the People by the People for the People.

    We are diverse — ethnically, geographically, politically, in age and in experience.

    We are 100% grassroots. No lobbyists here. No pundits. And no hyper-partisan strategists calling the shots in this movement. We are a spontaneous and collective expression of our desire to forge a culture of civic engagement that is solution-oriented, not blame-oriented.

    We demand a government that responds to the needs of the majority of its citizens as expressed by our votes and by our voices; NOT corporate interests as expressed by misleading advertisements and campaign contributions.

    We want a society in which democracy is treated as sacrosanct and ordinary citizens participate out of a sense of civic duty, civic pride, and a desire to contribute to society. The Coffee Party is a call to action. Our Founding Fathers and Mothers gave us an enduring gift — Democracy — and we must use it to meet the challenges that we face as a nation.

    http://coffeepartysd.ning.com/

13. References and source links

     

    • http://coffeepartyusa.com/content/sphere
      My comments on "The Sphere"

       

    • http://purplealliance.us/why.cfm
      Motivation and reasons for building "The Purple Alliance" -- "what is wrong and how to fix it"

14. Realizing the full potential of democracy

15. A philosophy of network community

16. Notes on collaboration and co-creativity