Rescuing the enlightenment from itself: Implications for Re-working democracy and international relations

Abstract

All those at the receiving end of a decision should be party to the decision making process, so that power, knowledge, lived experience and creativity are shared at all stages of the democratic process. The capacity to improve governance and international relations is based on openness and an ability to work with, rather than within closed frameworks. I draw on West Churchman and many of those who have read and incorporated his ideas whilst developing Critical Systemic Praxis (CSP). The chapter works with Churchman's 'Design of Inquiring Systems' to address the need to bridge different knowledges, in the interests of improving governance and international relations. © 2006 Springer Science+Business Media, Inc.