Published: 11/05/2025, Work In Progress
Western Liberal Democracies operate on the idea that when there are good ideas and/or sound and valid principles that are promising or are shown to work in a particular jurisdiction, that they can then be implemented in different jurisdictions. This idea can operate outside of democracies too, and this in my view is a core strength of this political system. If countries that deem themselves Western Liberal Democracies allowed the fullest materialisation of this principle, with political parties being unafraid of the influence of big money in politics influencing election cycles, other countries would want to replicate this, and it wouldn't require war or even geopolitical competition.
Western Liberal Democracies are also supposed to maintain a balancing act of never allowing the majority to dominate a minority or vice versa, and progressively expanding the rights and freedoms of all citizens. Unfortunately this has been intensely suppressed for too long due to a reliance of these countries on small cliques of financially informed elites who drive the media cycle. In my view, living in a Western Liberal Democracy means citizens having a basic understanding of the history of development of this political system and its institutions as well as being informed about the principles and the track record of each political party. Last but not least, it is also important to understand the political traditions that the political parties emerged from, the various ideologies and principles that they associate with or have associated with in the past as well as the facts about and ideals of different groups and individuals in a society relating to specific topics, projects and policies. A Democracy requires a well-informed and politically active citizenry who understand that their voices and considered opinions can lead to considerable positive change in a society.
I would articulate this much more aggressively considering the recent past - in a Democracy, citizens have the duty to understand their political systems and leaderships, and be able to think like political party leaders, Presidents and Prime Ministers.
The late Pope Francis' rescinding of the "Doctrine of Discovery" and "Dum Diversas" should be seen as an opportunity for democratic political reform led by the people in a civil and peaceful manner in each country within what evolved into the Western Neoliberal Plutocratic system, with consideration to its roles in the world order and international governance.
Such reforms should include but not be limited to;
Removing the influence of money, donations and lobbyism (particularly corporate and commercial lobbyism) in politics specifically
In determining policies of political parties
In influencing elections
In influencing the decisions of individual representatives (whether relating to specific projects, or policy positions)
In obtaining earnings from advancing policies with the purpose or intent to obtain earnings from advancing said policies
In funding separatist and all other movements (inside or outside of a given country)
In funding regime change or currency takedown efforts
in determining tax policies, whether through bribery or consulting groups, and any related transnational coordination
In funding media organisations (private or public) to advance corporate or commercial interests (except advertising)
In shaping the foreign or domestic policies of a country or other countries to advance corporate or commercial interests
Expanding opportunities for democratic engagement such as
Designing public areas in a way that facilitates political engagement, movements as well as peaceful and non-violent demonstrations
Improving the efficiency and integrity of in-person referenda and voting processes, including voter identification
Improving the accuracy of information provided as well as the coverage of differing viewpoints in advertising materials and voting areas
Publicly funding opportunities for political engagement for politically interested citizens across party lines (with exception of xenophobic, ultranationalist, totalitarian, neoliberal, Nazi, Neo-Nazi or any other dehumanising ideologies)
Experimenting with digital democracy with a focus on ensuring system integrity, transparency and efficiency
Experimenting with direct democracy, particularly through mass media
Experimenting with withdrawable devolution of power across jurisdictions
Establishing treaties with First Nations peoples facilitating truth telling, pathways for autonomy and self-determination, recognition, statecraft and improvements in life-outcomes
Preventing Mega Corp and vulture capital from destroying small and medium sized businesses from within to eventually purchase them and monopolise markets
De-monopolising markets to foster greater growth of small and medium sized businesses
Reforming the structures of government to provide greater productivity and efficiency and value for money for the taxpayer
Election or nomination of representatives should require them to be forbidden from accepting or receiving any non-public moneys apart from grassroots campaign donations, but may accept gifts and benefits so long as they are publicly and responsively and transparently disclosed requiring details such as;
Gift/benefit type
Gift/benefit source (physical person and organisation/group)
Estimated gift/benefit value
Date of gift/benefit receipt
Purpose of giving of said gift/benefit according to the giver
Transparent and publicly available digital interfaces where this information is viewable
Otherwise drop the suits and start wearing NASCAR jackets with the logos of those who control your strings.