Love, anger, fear, surprise. It all comes down on Facebook, Twitter and in the mailbox. But people who hear with horror about the arrival of a refugee shelter in their street, how can they lose it to the government?
The council chamber in Purmerend was late last month too small for the amount concerned residents who wanted to hear how thought their council about the reception of refugees. The local excitement about it was great, the mayor had been seen on social media.
By the unlimited space of Facebook and Twitter, and the lack of opening hours, puts such council in a too small room for such a large audience fashioned off. The council could not continue. Two weeks later there was a public consultation meeting. In a rented hall, a music venue.
Is our democracy does not need an update? Digitisation gives many more opportunities to involve citizens in the policy then, as now, once a box red coloring every four years or every now and then to hold a public consultation meeting. To involve citizens is not something optional, but necessary. A third of voters stayed home last time, because they feel that the government ignores them.
The same as a hundred years ago
Kim Putters, the director of the Social and Cultural Planning Office, recently spoke all his surprise that the government still communicates with citizens as a hundred years ago. The SCP examines how democracy can be filled in more modern. Slightly more than half of the Dutch would like to become involved in administrative decisions without really a say, sounded the SCP. A referendum, if it is only advisory, it is enough for most people.
To a direct democracy, as in ancient Greece, we can not go back. But between a say at home and wait to see if there is a refugee center next door is a large area. That's quite something to gain. That thirty percent do not feel heard, is troubling. If I do not hear what I feel, I'm not very willing to cooperate if something is asked of me.
Suppose I want to say my concern about the arrival of an emergency shelter for refugees, what can I do? On the website of the House there is a telephone number, and when I call, I can be routed to MPs, is mentioned. I can also mail.
Through the website of the local church can I file a complaint or give a compliment, or ask a question. But it can also be about loose paving stones. Is it enough to give me the feeling that I am hearing? Or is there more need for such a poll on Facebook or a Twitter message about something that happens in my district?
I would like to hear from you whether you think the government does enough listening to citizens like you and me.
Send your comment of 150 words by Tuesday 12 noon to lezers@trouw.nl, provide name and address. A selection of the answers will appear Wednesday.
http://www.trouw.nl/ Monic Slingerland / © think stock.
Reactie plaatsen
Reacties