about

... just in writing :)

doing things in common together

We all do things in common together with others, work on them, take part in them. Shape them. We all cooperate and participate. Some of us less, some of us more. Some of us learn how to from early on, some of us later in life. Some of us take this way of life for granted, some of us not. Some of us care, some of us not so much.

Some of us, of those rather caring ones, wonder... What is cooperation, what is participation? When are they full, real ones? What are they made of? How can we have a deeper look at them, understand them? How can we develop them further?

participation – direct, cooperative, constructive, competent

For those wondering ones (as we are too:), we have put together our experience, gathered while working in and with teams on 'things' large or smaller.

Soon we have found out that the 'twins' of full, real
– cooperation and
– participation
are also
– competent,
– constructive and
– direct.
These 5 'equals' of the craft of doing things together, things in common together, belong together.

tools – to assess, compare & develop processes, relations

In a number of cooperative projects, we have developed 9 groups of elements, processes, 'building blocks' of participation
– 4 steps to, levels of increasing participation and
– 5 conditions, requirements, quality criteria
in relations among each other (and to other processes 'outside the box').

Tools for everyone to assess, evaluate and develop processes as participative, competent, constructive, cooperative and direct. To do things together better. · · · tools ▲

systems / applied science, theory and experience behind

The systemic approach – with profound experience as well as solid, well-funded applied science, theory behind – allow for identifying elements and relations which belong to a 'thing'. All of them, not less, yet not a single one more than necessary. To use as 'tools' (see above) supporting all interested ones.

The 'thing in common' here being participation. How and why it is, may be, competent, constructive, cooperative and direct, a full, real one. What is it made of. How we can have a deeper look at it, understand it, how can we develop it further. · · · systems ▲

direct participation in politics – part of direct democracy

As 'the case among cases' we'd like to have a look at direct participation in politics.

The lack of it is a grave problem (a grave 'democratic deficit'↗︎) of underdeveloped democracies, rooted in their hierarchical political systems and social culture, which exclude people or groups, promoting divisions and stratifications in society and thus conflicts, protests, anger and/or frustration, powerlessness, resignation.

More developed democracies, inspiring as 'democracy labs', show the way out. The way out from all the helpless conflicts to mighty, powerfull participation. All the people – each and everyone – should be able to learn the craft of direct participation. · · · in politics ▲

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↗︎ web search with google.ch

– currently working on the concept – building up the team –