Designing for Citizens of the Non-Democratic World - Part 2
Abstract
This is an architectural and political design thesis that propose a platform of transparency and serves as a strategic entry point for catalysing a corrupt revolution in Bolivia. The main objectives to be addressed in this proposal are (a) the close relationships between the practice of whistleblowing and human rights activism, (b) the fact that 75% of whistleblowers in South America think they will suffer retaliation if they report corruption, and (c) the establishement of a national support network for whistleblowers across Bolivia.
“The worst disease in the world today is corruption. And there is a cure: Transparency.” - Bono
The framework for this transparent intervention will take the form of a national integrity system and will be developed at regional, constituent, neighbourhood and local scale to establish a ‘bottom-
up’ approach for cleansing Bolivia from corruption. A ‘bottum-up’ approach serves the potential to mobilise a committed consitutency and generate significant positive results. This can build momentum necessary for more central level reforms such as consitutional changes in governent.
up’ approach for cleansing Bolivia from corruption. A ‘bottum-up’ approach serves the potential to mobilise a committed consitutency and generate significant positive results. This can build momentum necessary for more central level reforms such as consitutional changes in governent.
Metaphorically speaking, this national integrity system is an engine that cleanses corruption - thriving on organised crime to function - and eventually the fuel will be drained. So what do we do with the empty fuel tank? This proposal goes beyond the cleansing of corruption. It is a strategic framework that supports urbanisation, globalisation, decentralisation, and democratisation. An opportunity for access to information through the expansion of assets and capabilities of poor people to participate in, negotiate with, influence, control and hold accountable the institutions that affect their lives. Informed citizens are better equipped to take advantage of opportunity; access services; exercise their rights and hold state or non-state institutions accountable.
This process will promote civic engagement and accountability. Eventually this will uncouple the practice of democracy from the construct of the nation-state and provide democracy in a more direct form to citizens. The typology chosen to be developed into an architectural proposal is the second largest scale fitted into this framework; ‘provincial constituency’. A transparent organisation developed at constituency scale will be used as a prototype for other constituencies and regions to follow.
The national integrity framework functions through four physical strategies and
one activist strategy; (1) assessment and monitoring; (2) access to information; (3) ethics and integrity; and (4) institutional reform. These four strategies serve proof for activists to take action and (5) target specific issues appropriately and serve as a rallying point for positive changes in local governance.
one activist strategy; (1) assessment and monitoring; (2) access to information; (3) ethics and integrity; and (4) institutional reform. These four strategies serve proof for activists to take action and (5) target specific issues appropriately and serve as a rallying point for positive changes in local governance.