The role of politics for social responsibility in a globalising world New and old forums of expression and actors Andreas Gross, Switzerland, M.P./C o E Forum Strasbourg - Oct 2nd 2002

Democracy is the ground on which responsibility may grow People are related to each other People are related to each other No responsibility without relations No responsibility without relations The lack of responsibility has to be sanctioned The lack of responsibility has to be sanctioned That’s why you need a democratic polity (constitution) in which all actors, also those who are «only» concerned, are connected with each other That’s why you need a democratic polity (constitution) in which all actors, also those who are «only» concerned, are connected with each other

Democracy has to be constituted on the same level as the market in order to make it more respectful 150 years ago you had a balance between the national markets and national democracies 150 years ago you had a balance between the national markets and national democracies Today democracy lost power, the markets are less civilised and you have more and more irresponsibility Today democracy lost power, the markets are less civilised and you have more and more irresponsibility

The globalisation of the markets can’t be reversed; but democracy may be transnationally restored and even globalised Democracy building started in towns and regions – why should it end on the national level ? Democracy building started in towns and regions – why should it end on the national level ? Democracy legitimises politics and policies – it does not create a state Democracy legitimises politics and policies – it does not create a state That’s why we need more democracy on the supra-state level too and share the people’s sovereignity between the local, regional, national, European and global level That’s why we need more democracy on the supra-state level too and share the people’s sovereignity between the local, regional, national, European and global level

Progress and enlargement of the democratic polity are the condition for social rights and responsibility More democracy always means a new distribution of power More democracy always means a new distribution of power That’s why new and better institutions need strong people’s movements to impose new democracy building That’s why new and better institutions need strong people’s movements to impose new democracy building

Democracy needs enlargement and in deepening to guarantee social rights and responsibility in the global economy Priorities: European constitution European constitution Globalising the «Strassbourg-model» to approach global democracy Globalising the «Strassbourg-model» to approach global democracy Democratising democracy towards Direct Democracy Democratising democracy towards Direct Democracy