Have looked at it.
My view is that you have some interesting ideas, but the concept has some significant flaws.
Firstly, neighbourhood populations are often transient, so people seldom know more than a few others.
I know by name about 7 people in my neighborhood of 15 years. Because I walk the dog daily, I know more by sight - to nod to. I only know the occupation of two, and almost nothing of the character of any.
Secondly, a couple of neighbourhoods near me would likely have senior gang members representing them - through fear.
But the major issue is with the lack of overt political parties.
Under your system, parties would form - it is inevitable that representatives would band together to promote their collective views.
Informal parties lack transparency - those represented would not necessarily know about the party affiliations. They lack rules and accountability.
The first, and likely most powerful, parties would probably be those based on religion, as these have the structure and the grip on members of their congregation.
My Response
Thanks for taking a look at the TDG. Most people tend to bypass my work.
And you are making some great points. I shall address them.
Our current collective political psyche is insufficient to make the TDG work. We will have to learn some new skills.
One of those skills is building a stronger community with our neighbors. This does not mean becoming best friends with everyone on your block or even knowing all the people in your TDG neighborhood. But get to know 10-20 of them. Then you can cast a wise vote.
In the early TDG stage, most neighbors will not be interested in the TDG. But you only need three other neighbors to start building. As time passes and the TDG gets better known and seen as a good example of politics, more people will be interested in joining. Even people who are transient: they can take their TDG experience from their current location to their next location.
I have lived in both caring and indifferent geographical communities. The TDG will help to create more caring communities.
My writings often say: "Chat with your neighbors when you see them outside." See where this goes.
In the early TDG stage, toxic people will probably not join. This will allow the early builders to establish a TDG culture. When new people join later, they will be confronted with a more positive way of working together. Many will adopt the new ways.
Later, some TDG neighborhoods might elect a representative with some serious lack of TDG skills. This person may be a thorn at the local level, but he/she will not rise very high in the TDG. Such a person cannot hide behind the banner of a political party.
My understanding is that political parties are more about alliances to winning elections than finding solutions to solve problems. Such alliances are great for people aspiring for status, influence, and power. But this system casts many people as only voters and protesters.
But inside most political parties are serious divisions of how things should be done. There is a lot of political correctness that controls the discussion.
In Chapter 2, I list 12 limitations of governance of political parties. The question that should be asked are these acceptable side effects? I say not.
In Chapter 3, I explain the TDG in greater detail--and outline how the TDG defeats each of these limitations.
In Canada, municipal governments are "informal." Alliances might be formed to push certain items through the chambers. But after the decision, the representatives form new alliances on the next issues. This party-less system seems to get things done without political parties. And the representatives always get to speak their mind or wishes of their constituents. The representatives are not bound by party discipline or coercion.
Today's political parties in Canada and USA might have some religious influence directing their vision, but I don't see it as being the main influence. But this could change.
The TDG will accommodate different religious beliefs. Different religions, with moderate viewpoints, should be able to work together.
The TDG will create a new "religion." Instead of shouting long and loud to force our way, we will employ a consultative approach to decision making. We will listen to understand why other people have different perspectives than we have.
The TDG website has an online consultation workshop. This workshop could be said as a different version of the Golden Rule, which all moderate religions profess to employ.
