WHAT IS THIS BOOK ABOUT?

This book is about Democracy. How to create it. How to defend it. And how to make it endure despite the corrupting influences of politicians, greedy rich people and big business. According to Rodger Hills, the key is creating a bomb-proof, socially just Constitution, written by ordinary citizens, for ordinary citizens.

All at once, this gripping pro-democracy book, manages to be thought-provoking reading, an essential reference book, and a stirring call to personal action. As Hills points out, since governments and politicians have failed us so completely, it us up to us all to demand that environmental principles, financial market regulation, health care, education and a host of everyday issues are mandated into our Constitution.

Packed with some of the clearest, and easiest-to-understand material on how our political systems should really work, The Consensus Artifact challenges us to take back control of our democracy by showing us how to:

• Embed sustainability principles into the Constitution so that global warming can be prevented.
• Impose political governance processes such as citizen initiated referendums that allow ordinary people to propose constitutional and legislative changes or overturn unfair legislation and policies.
• Get the best health care and education systems available.
• Overhaul our existing financial systems so they operate properly and fairly.
• Make governments develop evidence-based legislation and policy.
• Create a fair taxation and public revenue system.
• Guarantee the separation of Church and State.
• Put strict limits on corporate power.
• Develop a fairer electoral system.
• Create a Bill of Responsibilities that protects human rights.

The Consensus Artifact has recently been cited by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) in The World Public Sector Report (WPSR) 2007, People Matter: Civic Engagement in Public Governance.

BOOK DETAILS

Format: Paperback (English) - 192 pages
Publisher: Astro Projects (November 2007)
ISBN: 9780646478296
LCCN: 2008378787
OCLC: 232358488
Dewey Reference: 342
Book Dimensions: 210x148x11.5 mm (8.3x5.8x0.5 inches)

Online Price: AUD$34.95

Ships from: Astro Projects in Australia.
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BOOK REVIEWS

"This easy to read, well-written book gives clear, yet detailed explanations of what can be complex issues that surround Constitutions - the framework of laws that govern our legal and political systems. The Consensus Artifact is a valuable reference for thinking about these structures.

Part One of the book introduces readers to the International Constitutional Harmonization Project, which is a hypothetical non-government organisation formed to research and develop a Universal Constitution. The second part of the book uses hypothetical interviews with imaginary democratic experts from around the world, to explore topics related to the drafting of a Universal Constitution. These topics range from citizenship, elections, taxation, courts, and law-making through to finance and conduct in office. Part Three presents the Universal Constitution, distilled and created from the issues raised in the hypothetical interviews.

The Universal Constitution and the book itself, make an interesting basis for discussion of these important issues. A valuable addition to national, state, university, public and school libraries; this book renews our understanding of the complexity and richness of our civil society as well as its possibilities."

Review by Daniela Giorgi
Education Officer NSW Parliament and Curriculum Adviser, Civics and Citizenship, NSW Department of Education and Training

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