1.
Grassroots Democracy
Every
human being deserves a say in the decisions that affect their lives,
and should not be subject to the will of another. Therefore, we
will work to increase public participation at every level of government
and to ensure that our public representatives are fully accountable
to the people who elect them. We will also work to create new types
of political organizations which expand the process of participatory
democracy by directly including citizens in the decision-making
process.
2.
Social Justice and Equal Opportunity
All
persons should have the rights and opportunity to benefit equally
from the resources afforded us by society and the environment. We
must consciously confront in ourselves, our organizations, and society
at large, the barriers such as racism and class oppression, sexism,
and homophobia, ageism and disability, which act to deny fair treatment
and equal justice under the law.
3.
Ecological Wisdom
Human
societies must operate with the understanding that we are part of
nature. We must maintain an ecological balance and live within the
ecological and resource limits of our communities and our planet.
We support a sustainable society which utilizes resources in such
a way that future generations will benefit and not suffer from the
practices of our generation. To this end we must practice agriculture
which replenishes the soil; move to an energy-efficient economy;
and live in ways that respect the integrity of natural systems.
4.
Non-Violence
It
is essential that we develop effective alternatives to society's
current patterns of violence. We will work to demilitarize, and
eliminate weapons of mass destruction, without being naive about
the intentions of other governments. We recognize the need for self-defense
and the defense of others who are in helpless situations. We promote
non-violent methods to oppose practices and policies with which
we disagree, and will guide our actions toward lasting personal,
community, and global peace.
5.
Decentralization
Centralization
of wealth and power contribures to social and economic injustice,
environmental destruction, and militarization. Therefore, we support
a restructuring of social, political, and economic institutions
away from a system which is controlled by and mostly benefits the
powerful few, to a democratic, less bureaucratic system. Decision-making
should, as much as possible, remain at the individual and local
level, while assuring that civil rights are protected for all citizens.
6.
Community-Based Economics and Economic Justice
We
recognize that it is essential to create a vibrant and sustainable
economic system, one that can create jobs and provide a decent standard
of living for all people, while maintaining a healthy ecological
balance. A successful economic system will offer meaningful work
with dignity, while paying a "living wage" which reflects
the real value of a person's work. Local communities must look to
economic development that assures protection of the environment
and workers' rights; broad citizen participation in planning; and
enhancement of our "quality of life". We support independently
owned and operated companies which are socially responsible, as
well as co-operatives and public enterprises that distribute resources
and control to more people through democratic participation.
7.
Feminism and Gender Equity
We
have inherited a social system based on male domination of politics
and economics. We call for the replacement of the cultural ethics
of domination and control with more cooperative ways of interacting
that respect differences of opinion and gender. Human values such
as equity between the sexes, interpersonal responsibility, and honesty
must be developed with moral conscience. We should remember that
the process that determines our decisions and actions is just as
important as achieving the outcome we want.
8.
Respect for Diversity
We
believe it is important to value cultural, ethnic, racial, sexual,
religious, and spiritual diversity, and to promote the development
of respectful relationships across these lines. We believe that
the many diverse elements of society should be reflected in our
organizations and decision-making bodies, and we support the leadership
of people who have traditionally been closed out of leadership roles.
We acknowledge and encourage respect for other life forms than our
own and the preservation of biodiversity.
9.
Personal and Global Responsibility
We
encourage individuals to act to improve their personal well-being,
and at the same time, to enhance ecological balance and social harmony.
We seek to join with people and organizations around the world to
foster peace, economic justice, and the health of the planet.
10.
Future Focus and Sustainability
Our
actions and policies should be motivated by long-term goals. We
seek to protect valuable natural resources, safely disposing of
or "unmaking" all waste we create, while developing a
sustainable economics that does not depend on continual expansion
for survival. We must counterbalance the drive for short-term profits
by assuring that economic development, new technologies, and fiscal
policies are responsible to future generations who will inherit
the results of our actions.
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