Conflict Resolution
These considerations are taken into account in regard to the CDRSB alternative to the use of postal ballots on demand. Falling voter turnout is best understood not as a crisis of democracy in general but of its present, limited form in which conflict between radicalism and conservatism has remained a threat to political stability and freedom. The CDRSB seeks to develop democracy to help resolve this conflict. Representative democracy has been constrained by narrow parameters which tend to polarise factional differences. Jefferson's belief that the self evident truths of common sense are the most reliable point of departure for constitutional design remain as valid today as in 1776 since these truths have always existed in human society, even if unexpressed. On a global scale three related aspects of reform therefore need to be tackled, preferably in America first, and then in the less advanced states, assuming they have the will to emulate the achievements of the US Bill of Rights: sortition (which can be applied to both election and appointment practices), the principle that the earth belongs to the living, and payment of ordinary citizens for political work. By such means the problem of class polarisation in the modern era that in large part gave rise to radical extremism could be better moderated. A participatory democracy of this kind could provide a more flexible basis upon which different macroeconomic systems such as socialism or capitalism could be tested over time without the autocratic powers which radicalism has generally sought to acquire. Jefferson's 19 year cycle for constitutional review seems appropriate in this regard. On this understanding the CDRSB has formulated the following model resolution for general support. It is oriented to expressing truths which are self evident to common sense and which are in conformity both with the US Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights and also the unfulfilled aspirations of the American founding fathers. It may be possible to demonstrate in the course of developing a network of randomly selected respondents to our canvassing research that most people will agree to its provisions and will continue to uphold them even when provided with opposing arguments. Notwithstanding the unexpected we intend to 'prove' that there are self evident truths of common sense which can provide the basis for a new agreement across the political spectrum for democratic development free from electoral fraud, factional conspiracy and violent conflict. We invite readers to study this resolution and express their agreement with it by returning the detachable response form. For those who cannot agree to this resolution we would like the opportunity to discuss it with them by means of an interview in which the ideas in it can be more fully explained.