Introduction to the party and it’s philosophy.

Values

We start with the grand overview of hopes and aspirations and end with what this means in practice.  I will relate this policy to the tasks of the different departments of government.

The values of the Party are:-

That we all live on this planet together.  The wellbeing of all humanity, and the systems we live in are important for our survival.  Therefore this party has an international perspective committed to the survival and prosperity of all living beings, motivated to find the balance that maximises this achievement through a collaborative, multidimensional approach.   It attempts to make alliances with other political movements with the shared aspiration to improve ‘quality of life’ for all, across the globe.  It is active in participating and influencing international systems that promote international collaboration.

The principles set out by Abraham Maslow (1943) defined a hierarchy of human need.  This model has survived the test of time and appears self-evident across may communities.  The model defines the priorities given to the ‘quality of life’ principle. 

The hierarchy is list below:-

·       Physiological Needs – Healthy water, food, shelter, warmth.

·       Safety - Health, environment, social care, policing, defence.

·       Belonging and Love – Community cohesion, Families and relationships, equality of access, care of those with additional need.

·       Esteem – Arts, Sport, employment, self and community expression.

·       Cognitive – Education and life-long learning.

·       Aesthetic – innovation, environment, leisure, culture.

·       Self Actualisation – religion, charity, innovation, politics, debate.

The model posits that the needs listed first are necessary before other needs can be realised.  It posits that the ‘higher’ existential goals can only be reached if primary needs are met first.  This model has created a vast literature of discussion.  It is not seen as an ‘absolute’ model,  and exceptions are noted, but it broadly informs the priorities of policy.

The main principles of governance will be based on those described by the International Cooperative Movement.

These are:-

1)      Voluntary and Open Membership.

This movement depends on voluntary participation for which the only reward will be personal and communal satisfaction.    The measure of the success of the party will be the degree to which people and communities are willing to support the party, both though financial giving, willingness to promote the interests of the party and at the ballot box.  Everyone who signs up to the values of the party participates in this project.

2)      Democratic Member control.

Party membership will be based on people’s willingness to sign up to the values of the party.  The policies of the party will be decided through four processes.  It is initiated with the leadership of the party, who will define policy, based on the core values.   Then the MPs of the party will hone the message.  The membership of the party will have a say, and finally the views of the general public will be monitored through facilitated focus groups.  Any substantial conflict between the first three divisions will be taken to arbitration, and a compromise will be agreed.  Leadership will likewise be created though a balance of these three categories.  The key to success will be through electing leaders with a clear gift in leadership, and will strong moral values.

3)      Fair ownership of capital.

The main principle of financial arrangements within the party, and more broadly with public finances when in power, will fit with the cooperative principle of shared and mutual benefit.  Collaboration is seen as effecting win-win scenarios, were working together helps achieve a range of goals that might otherwise not be possible.  The priority when deciding how capital is distributed is the maximise mutual benefit, and promote ‘harmonious’ community relations.

4)      Autonomy and Independence.

The principle of government will be that of ‘subsidiarity’ of decision making, where the best decisions are generally reckoned to be taken as close to a local level as possible.  This will mean that at a local level, some governance will not fit exactly with the principles of the party, but within certain parameters, this position will be allowed, because it allows for autonomy, which is in itself a guiding principle.

5)      Education, Training and Information.

A fundamental principle within the party is candour, and transparency.  There will be mechanisms build into all systems that will ensure that the operation of government is open and honest.  Other interests including those of the opposition parties will be facilitated to question and clarify all motivations and incentives within policy making.    The principles within education and training will be constantly tested to research the effectiveness of policies, and for these to be held accountable to experts and the general public.

6)      Concern for the Community.

A guiding principle for the party is to assess and monitor the wellbeing of the community as a whole.  Within democracies, often those in the majority groupings benefit the most, having the power to make decisions for others.  Sometimes urban or rural communities may be in the ascendance, and their priorities are addressed.  This works while power sifts about.  Minorities who are likely to remain a minority rarely have the power to effect change for themselves. The aim of this party is to have mechanisms that monitor the impact on all communities, from young to all, rich and poor, dependent and economically active, and from across the ethnic spectrum.  Membership of the party, and of the members of parliament, and prospective candidates will aspire to hold the interests of the full breath of the community, using the systemic model of creating a ‘harmonious’ system.  

 

This fits with Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s theory of ‘flow’ psychology. This theory defines a mutually reinforcing state of competence where people and systems function at an optimum level.  Csikszentmilhalyi described this as being between boredom, or lack of stimulation, and anxiety, or over stimulated and pushed towards error.  The state between these points is the ‘sweet spot’, where productivity, satisfaction and harmony and maximised and amplified.  A government that uses this principle, is looking to find this balance in all systems, from care homes and nurseries, to manufacturing processes, to tourism and the arts.  The measure of success will be seen in the higher number of people who care for their communities and businesses, motivated and engaged to the extent that they may picking ‘up litter’ on the way into work.