Project Open Democracy
A VISION FOR GREATER PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNMENT
Much of the social, political and economic turmoil confronting the modern world, including the return of the horrors of war and the rise of the authoritarians and totalitarians, can be attributed to the failure of representative democracy in an increasingly complex, interconnected and polarized world. Open democracy offers a way forward.
There is a growing perception that democracies and constitutional republics are faltering as effective forms of governance, as evidenced by increasing distrust in politicians and political processes, including democratic elections. While the principle of democracy may not be failing, representative democracy—like the outdated taxi industry—struggles to function effectively in today’s complex, interconnected, and polarized world.
The answer to the stagnation of the taxi industry was not better managers and more regulation, but a revolution in the form of ridesharing. Similarly, the solution to the failings of representative democracy is not simply better candidates, but a transformation: a shift to open democracy.
We now have both the concept and technology needed to transition from representative democracy to open democracy, built upon a shared vision.
This transition will allow us to address the myriad of social, economic, and political problems plaguing the modern world, both locally and globally.
Importantly, open democracy opens the path to finally ending the scourge of the lobby industry, which is strangling modern democracies everywhere.
Open democracy empowers people to participate more fully in governance, not just through periodic elections, plebiscites, or referendums, but on an ongoing, issue-by-issue basis and, where applicable, at a global scale.
Rather than dismantling representative democracy, open democracy seeks to modernize it by bringing democratic processes into the information age, united in purpose through a common vision.
Unlike direct democracy, open democracy is non-binding. It simply provides the means by which elected officials can gauge public sentiment before enacting policies or making extreme decisions, like engaging in war.
US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
Americans have put their faith in president Donald Trump to address the failures of representative democracy in America.
President Trump's election has, however, hardened rather than healed the divisions making the future of the nation uncertain: A house divided against itself cannot stand.
Australia, in the upcoming federal election, has an opportunity to do it the right way through open democracy.
2025: AUSTRALIAN FEDERAL ELECTION
The outcome of the upcoming federal election will either be more of the same depressing politics, or real and sustainable change through open democracy.
Open democracy is about giving all Australians a greater say in government decisions, not just occasionally through a plebiscite or a referendum, but on an ongoing, issue-by-issue basis.
For Australia, this represents the greatest change in how it is governed since Federation.
For the world, it offers an example and pathway to peaceful co-existence.
TAKE ACTION
Have your say on the 8 key principles of open democracy and help begin the transformation of the free world to open democracy, starting with ending the scourge of the lobby industry.
About PByT (Powered by Trust)
The concept and technology are both provided by PByT, a Sydney-based online platform.
PByT brings credibility to online surveys, polls, and petitions through transparent, non-anonymous feedback and analyzable results, using Bayesian analysis to iteratively arrive at optimal answers and solutions.
Unlike traditional surveys, which capture a snapshot of opinion, the PByT approach aligns with natural decision-making: a process evolving through iterative feedback and updated information.
Politicians should welcome open democracy, as it relieves them of the pressure surrounding controversial decisions, allowing them to defer, when appropriate, to the will of the people at zero cost to taxpayers.
Providing citizens with a voice in decision-making will reduce the anger and hostility often unfairly directed at politicians and minority groups, while limiting the reach of misinformation, disinformation, and propaganda.
Australian Federal Election 2025: How to Vote
George Matafonov
Founder, PBYT.Net