The future and democracy need citizens' councils - a contribution to further work

In Germany and other countries, democracy as a form of government is currently coming under pressure. In view of the crises resulting from the overburdening of ecological cycles and care workers, states are increasingly resorting to more authoritarian solutions. In addition, dissatisfaction among the population is growing in the face of increasingly precarious living conditions, especially as governments are increasingly presenting their policies as having no alternative and being beyond discussion: The changes are experienced as a threat, causing fear and aggression. At the same time, those severely affected by the crisis are not being listened to.

In her contribution, Gisela Weissinger from the Dortmund regional group of the Care Revolution network proposes the establishment of loose citizens' councils as a supplement to parliamentary bodies. Firstly, these could increase the real influence of the population on state policy and thus strengthen democratic forms. Secondly, initial experience with citizens' councils shows that the results they produce are helpful in the face of pressing problems. Finally, this approach can be used to counter popular-authoritarian tendencies that draw part of their strength from the disregard of the interests of the population by the ruling politicians.

The Dortmund regional group has made the introduction of citizens' councils one of the topics of its work. You can find the complete text here: