Iceland "Crowdsources" Constitutional Reboot
While others preach the potential of e-government as a possible method of push-button direct democracy, tiny Iceland has seized the initiative -- “crowdsourcing” its new constitutional arrangements to the people of the north Atlantic country.
Iceland's existing constitution dates back to 1944 when the north Atlantic country gained independence from Denmark.
The drafting process for the new constitution is both simple and appealingly inclusive. Iceland's constitutional council posts draft clauses on its website, inviting feedback at its Facebook page, Twitter account and YouTube channel. Furthermore all council meetings are open to the public and streamed live on to the website and Facebook page.
Once the constitutional council has its final draft bill completed -- incorporating public suggestions -- it will be put to a nation-wide referendum. By definition, the new Icelandic constitution will become a genuine document by the people, of the people and for the people. Thorvaldur Gylfason, member of Iceland's constitutional council stresses, "The public sees the constitution come into being before their eyes…”, which “…is very different from old times where constitution makers sometimes found it better to find themselves a remote spot out of sight, out of touch."
In times of strained European Union accession talks and troublesome negotiations concerning defaulting Icelandic banks, Iceland’s populace has reverted to traditional democratic checks and balances --in part to prevent future political and economic elites again bankrupting the small fishing nation.