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"Planning Cell(s)" for Europe
By Prof. Peter C. Dienel
Translated from German by Jiri Polak
The problems of Europe, supposed to be solved by a
Constitution, are numerous and pressing. Above all, however, they
are highly relevant for our own further development. Their solution
by means of a European Constitution appears at present to be
blocked. What should we do? Of decisive importance would be a
Consensus among the European Citizenry concerning the necessary
solutions to European problems. Such a consensus about one or
several of these problems can be established using the participatory
innovation known as “The Planning Cell”; afterwards, it could be
presented for the public. (Basic literature:
Dienel, P.C., Die Planungszelle. Der Burger als Chance. 5. edition I
updated for 2002/, Westdeutscher Verlag, Wiesbaden 2002)
The PC Project: In the respective 25 countries, a total of
4,000 randomly selected people are entitled to use 16,000 paid work
days to penetrate, as well as possible, the problems in question
during discussions in small groups, so as to reach an agreement on
recommended solutions. 5 of these countries, should organize 4 PCs
each, 10 of them 6 PCs each, and the 10 countries having the most
numerous populations should hold 8 PCs each. All of them treat
simultaneously the same problem.
In spite of linguistic differences, the results of their
assessment
are mutually comparable and can be therefore presented for the
authority who had ordered it, i.e. the EU, as one single citizen
assessment (Burgergutachten),
The model is well-tried. Until now, more than 8,000 persons
(“lay jurors”) have participated in the preparation of public
decisions. As expected, their participation has brought about
useful results
Possible alternatives. The PC model is clearly superior to
the
attempts to involve citizens in the formulation and legitimatization
of EU policy by means of plebiscites. Also the “Citizen Forums~mentioned recently, when realized, have proved far less efficient
than the participation process here proposed PCs are faster
and realizable without problems.
A possible test. The novelty of the PC procedure might induce
those who use it for the first time to test it by organizing a
smaller project before the full scale one. This could be done
simultaneously in 3 countries holding 6 PCs each; the cost would
be ca 400.000 euro, (The big project involving 4.000 random
jurors in 25 countries would cost about 4,300.000 euro.)
The costs. Taking into consideration the benefit (as compared
to other imaginable participation procedures), the project here
suggested is extremely worthwhile.
“I believe that the Planning Cell is a good and appropriate
tool for increased citizen participation in many very practical
political issues and thus also for increased consensus in our
community” (A quotation from the speech delivered by former
Federal President of Germany Johannes Rau: Grusswort von
Bundesprhsident Johannes Rau anlässlich der Fachtagung
“Die Befreiung der Politik zu langfristigen Denken” am 26.Mai
2004 in Berlin; translated from German.)
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