258
12 Digital Democracy
performance afterwards (as the principle of “anti-fragility”
56 suggests). For such
flexibility, we need a special system design and operation.
The good news is that we know some of the principles that can make systems
more resilient. Among them are
57
1. redundancy,
2. decentralization and modular design,
3. local autonomy,
4. solidarity,
5. diversity and pluralism,
6. distributed control,
7. participatory approaches,
8. local digital assistance.
Redundancy ensures that, if one system element is broken, there is still a backup
system that one can rely on.
A modular system design makes sure that, if one part of the system gets in
trouble, other parts can be decoupled and saved, particularly if the modules can
operate autonomously (for some time at least). Behind the concept of modular
design is the idea of creating “firewalls”. This will be able to keep a problem from
spreading, which would happen in a densely connected system, (known as “domino
effect” or “cascading effect”). Note that autonomy (or sovereignty, as some people
like to call it) typically comes with sustainability. Interestingly, “autonomy” is also
one of the most important factors that matter for the happiness of people.
58 Another
one is “having good relationships with others”.
59 This means people like to show
empathy, responsibility, and solidarity, particularly in situations when other people
need help.
Diversity makes sure that, if one mechanism or approach fails, there are still
others, which work under adverse conditions.
Participatory approaches (such as “participatory resilience” or “participatory
sustainability”) allow people to take action locally, while first aid units are still not
there. After a natural disaster, it often takes 72 h until public help is fully operational.
However, most people die within 3 days after a disaster strikes, such that public help
often comes late.
Digital assistance can keep up communication by creating an ad hoc network
and empower people to help themselves, coordinate, and support each other.
60
Interestingly, the above discussed resilience principles question the usefulness of
centralized information and control systems to master future disasters, existential
56 Talib [27].
57 Helbing [28].
58 The No. 1 Contributor to Happiness, Psychology Today (Jun 30, 2011), https://www.psycholog
ytoday.com/us/blog/bouncing-back/201106/the-no-1-contributor-happiness.
59 The Secrets of Happiness Revealed by Harvard Study, Forbes (May 27, 2015) https://www.for
bes.com/sites/georgebradt/2015/05/27/the-secret-of-happiness-revealed-by-harvard-study/.
60 Banerjee et al. [29].
12 Digital Democracy
performance afterwards (as the principle of “anti-fragility”
56 suggests). For such
flexibility, we need a special system design and operation.
The good news is that we know some of the principles that can make systems
more resilient. Among them are
57
1. redundancy,
2. decentralization and modular design,
3. local autonomy,
4. solidarity,
5. diversity and pluralism,
6. distributed control,
7. participatory approaches,
8. local digital assistance.
Redundancy ensures that, if one system element is broken, there is still a backup
system that one can rely on.
A modular system design makes sure that, if one part of the system gets in
trouble, other parts can be decoupled and saved, particularly if the modules can
operate autonomously (for some time at least). Behind the concept of modular
design is the idea of creating “firewalls”. This will be able to keep a problem from
spreading, which would happen in a densely connected system, (known as “domino
effect” or “cascading effect”). Note that autonomy (or sovereignty, as some people
like to call it) typically comes with sustainability. Interestingly, “autonomy” is also
one of the most important factors that matter for the happiness of people.
58 Another
one is “having good relationships with others”.
59 This means people like to show
empathy, responsibility, and solidarity, particularly in situations when other people
need help.
Diversity makes sure that, if one mechanism or approach fails, there are still
others, which work under adverse conditions.
Participatory approaches (such as “participatory resilience” or “participatory
sustainability”) allow people to take action locally, while first aid units are still not
there. After a natural disaster, it often takes 72 h until public help is fully operational.
However, most people die within 3 days after a disaster strikes, such that public help
often comes late.
Digital assistance can keep up communication by creating an ad hoc network
and empower people to help themselves, coordinate, and support each other.
60
Interestingly, the above discussed resilience principles question the usefulness of
centralized information and control systems to master future disasters, existential
56 Talib [27].
57 Helbing [28].
58 The No. 1 Contributor to Happiness, Psychology Today (Jun 30, 2011), https://www.psycholog
ytoday.com/us/blog/bouncing-back/201106/the-no-1-contributor-happiness.
59 The Secrets of Happiness Revealed by Harvard Study, Forbes (May 27, 2015) https://www.for
bes.com/sites/georgebradt/2015/05/27/the-secret-of-happiness-revealed-by-harvard-study/.
60 Banerjee et al. [29].