We know that municipal (and regional) democracy cannot but fail if society at large is not fully democratized, in the sense of meaningful influence and a real voice for the majority that is at present allowed only to vote while the important decisions are taken by professional politicians susceptible to the pressures of the few with a lot of money.

But we also know that society at large cannot be fully democratic if local (and regional) affairs are left unattended by local people failing to empower themselves to decide the very things that affect them in an essential way at their very own doorstemps.

         We propose a forum of
  international, democratic
  debate . . .

Local reform, aiming 
at an increased say
of the many in
everything that is vital
for their communities,
is the prerequisite for
democracy in our societies.

The legal and economic
hindrances that we will encounter
cannot all be removed by the
isolated actions of local citizens
for urban democracy – 
so we need to team up
with other citizens 
in other communities (and regions), 
nationally and world-wide, 
to increase the pressure for a rational, 
humane modernization and conversion 
of our societies,
in the sense of a more genuine 
democracy = rule of the people, 
by the people, 
for the people.
 

Urban Democracy Group, Aachen, Germany