funcdem

Funcdem, short for functional democracy, is a political ideology that combines elements of functionalism and direct democracy. It aims to create a more efficient and responsive political system by emphasizing the importance of expertise and the direct participation of citizens in decision-making processes. The term was coined by the French political scientist Alain Lipietz in the 1960s.

In a funcdem system, decisions are made by experts in their respective fields, who are elected by the public through a system of proportional representation. These experts, known as "functionaries," are responsible for managing specific areas of public policy, such as education, healthcare, or infrastructure. They are accountable to the public and can be recalled from office if they fail to perform their duties effectively.

One of the key features of funcdem is its emphasis on direct democracy. Citizens have the power to initiate and vote on legislation, as well as to recall their elected representatives. This is intended to ensure that the political system remains responsive to the will of the people and that decisions are made in the best interests of the community.

Funcdem has been implemented in various forms in different countries, including France, where it has been used to manage specific public services and policies. However, it remains a relatively niche ideology and has not yet gained widespread acceptance or implementation on a larger scale. Despite this, it continues to be a subject of interest and debate among political scientists and practitioners.