Iceland Taps Facebook To Rewrite Its Constitution 264
An anonymous reader writes "Iceland is finally overhauling its constitution, and it has turned to the Internet to get input from citizens. More specifically, the 25-member council drafting the new constitution is reaching out to its citizens through Facebook. Two thirds of Iceland's population (approximately 320,000) is on Facebook, so the constitutional council's weekly meetings are broadcast live not only on the council's website, but on the social network as well. 'It is possible to register through other means, but most of the discussion takes place via Facebook,' said Berghildur Bernhardsdottir, spokeswoman for the constitutional review project."
public-private partnership (Score:5, Insightful)
I guess "reliance on large private corporations for operation of and participation in government" is going to be part of the new constitution? Not that it isn't de facto part of every other modern Western constitution, but now they've announced the overhaul it seems to me the right time to start being open about how the world runs now.
Farcebook (Score:5, Insightful)
'It is possible to register through other means, but most of the discussion takes place via Facebook,' said Berghildur Bernhardsdottir
Because we thought it would be fun to actively discourage 1/3 of our population from being involved in the discussion...
Let me guess... (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:They cannot possibly get it right (Score:4, Insightful)
No State monopoly on security / police
If any private party can claim police power, they can also claim the right to search your property and papers. Oh, and any complaint of illegal searches would go to the same system. That's the end of the 4th amendment.
No State monopoly on Law
No State monopoly on courts
I guess you don't believe much in the "with liberty and justice for all" thing. I'd rather not be hauled before a kangaroo court or get no protection if I have no protection money, thank you very much.
No State theft of resources (Taxation)
Without income, there's no public services whatsoever. Go to Somalia or some other anarchist state if that's your ideal society.
Yet another country where the people have been reduced to the level of property; the property of the State.
There are equally bad or worse fates, like being the property of your parents. Children are not pets and even pets have laws against animal cruelty. Any state that lets children grow up with no minimum standard of education is neglecting that child and its human rights. They may be your offspring but they are not your prisoner - physically, intellectually or otherwise. If I was to use as much hyperbole as you, I'd say you demand the right to brainwash your children. My country, Norway, has also outlawed home schooling but there are private schools like Montessori [wikipedia.org] or Waldorf [wikipedia.org] education. They have to document a competent staff, their plans and methods of teaching and adherence to minimum guidelines set forth by the government. And I think it's a good thing, YMMV.
Re:They cannot possibly get it right (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:public-private partnership (Score:4, Insightful)
I have little sympathy for people who invested in Icelandic banks from overseas. They gave very favourable interest rates and returns in exchange for greater risk, and people are now complaining that they never expected that risk to actually materialise. Well, too bad, you took a chance and lost. The system in the UK compensates you up to (IIRC) £35k if you are a private individual but beyond that you are on your own.
I had an account with an Indian bank for a couple of years to get their high interest rates, but I never expected the same security as from a UK bank.