Democracy ? - Was - Re: Information about the Free Software Foundation Europe

[Simo Sorce]

Olivier Berger wrote:
> 
> Armin Herbert a écrit :
> >
> > Hi all,
> >
> 
> SNIP
> 
> > > We are currently looking for people in other countries to become part
> > > of the FSF Europe and we have been contacted by a lot of people so
> > > far.
> >
> > Who's that? Why didn't they contact us (this list), instead of you?
> >
> > I don't want to play the role of the nerved guy, but I feel uncomfortable
> > with this. In my opinion, you should hurry to found an organizational basis
> > where you can speak out the facts, in order to inform us. Be sure that most
> > of us trust you and wait and see what happens next. This makes clear that
> > *what* happens next is extremely important. That's why I'd like to see the
> > foundation of a democratic organization on top of the priority list.
> >
> 
> As far as I've understood from the various opinions expressed here, I
> see that many people want to see a democratic organization.
> 
> But that may not be what we need...
> 
> The FSFE might not be a "federation" of all users/hackers of libre
> software, where each one wants to elect / vote / be informed of
> everything.
> 
> Democracy might not be necessary, as long as we trust the people on
> board.
> 
> The democratic process would be very heavy to undertake for them,
> instead of really acting in favor of the libre software users and
> developpers.
> 
> And our personnal freedom is not in danger here (I mean the FSFE board
> of directors won't decide on laws that apply directly on me and my
> thoughts or actions), opposed to what happens with ruling a country, for
> instance.
> 
> So even if democracy is a good thing for general ruling of a society,
> this may not be the best organisational model for FSFE.
> 
> I made my opinion based on experience from my point of view as a member
> of the board of an (not enough) active and efficient libre software
> organization (APRIL).
> We have a board, but each of it's decisions taking are not necessarily
> brought to the wide list of members... even if we have a very strong
> commitment on transparency, and real democracy when it's necessary. This
> way, we are often more efficient, and don't enter a process of
> consulting people that only argue without ever doing something concrete.
> We don't loose time and energy each time we can decide by ourselves, and
> in the end, members seem pretty satisfied with our decisions. This seems
> to be the best policy, for that matter.
> 
> I think that a minimum of transparency should be requested though
> (particularly on financial aspects), but when it goes with political /
> lobby / strategic decisions, I think that a minimum of secret will be
> necessary, and that it will be much more efficient.
> 
> You'll also note that it's the way that the FSF has run til today (I
> mean RMS' one), as far as I kow, and that's OK for me since I trust what
> they do based on their public behaviour, speeches and contributions to
> the libre software advancement.
> Of course sometimes I would like to know things before they are made
> public to everybody... but what would that change if I discussed it on
> IRC or mailing-lists, with only adding some entropy ? ... only my ego
> would be more satisfied ;)
> 
> So as a conclusion, I think we have to trust the people in charge and
> judge on their acts, and not ask for democracy as a primary goal... it's
> not because democracy best supports freedom in general, that we have to
> be democratic to best enforce freedom in this particular field of
> action.
> 
> I hope I made myself clear enough for you to understand my (somehow)
> different opinion on this topic...
> 
> Best regards, ya all.

I understand your position, but I have to say that a democratic
organization would take much more credit on any government, as it
express the opinion of the many voters not of single people, said that I
think a board of directors, also in a democratic elected one, doesn't
have to ask the voting base for any single action, it will act on
mandate (right word?) and will be reelected next time if it has made a
good work or not if the base feel the director has failed to express
their position.

Simo.

-- 
simo.sorce at tiscalinet.it
http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/9757