Notes by Axbom

Per Axbom

Getting real about technology…

Stockholm, Sweden

Per Axbom Twitter

When a democracy falls slowly, it will take a long time for the nation to stop referring to itself as a democracy.

As a democracy evolves and becomes more inclusive, it is easy for the nation to assume they have been a true democracy for a long time.

And those who vote with ease will naturally hold the democracy in higher regard than those who fight hard for, or are blocked from, doing the same.

A democracy of course is not a constant but a whirlpool of ever changing powers and constellations.

You may think I am talking about the US, but of course all self-proclaimed democracies struggle with keeping a coherent goal in sight... power begets disempowered, complicating justice and equality.

Women in Sweden were given the right to vote in 1919, and voted for the first time in 1921, after also - if married - being released from their husbands' guardianship and recognized as "of age" when 21 years old. 1921 is often cited as the year Sweden adopted universal suffrage.

Of course, it wasn't until 1945 that adults living in poorhouses were awarded the right to vote. And it wasn't until 1989 Sweden removed incapacitation, which kept many people with disabilities from being allowed to vote.

"Universal" suffrage is a curious term.

That which is universal, inclusive and just is a moving target. This all happened only in the last 100 years of Swedish history, and more will happen in the next 100. The most common mistake, always, is thinking "we are done".

Yes, we should celebrate wins. But never see the wins as endgames. They are stepping stones for the next goal in sight. And the path is slippery so we need to keep an eye on the path lest we slip and have to start over.

The democratic rights we gain can just as easily (it was never easy though, was it?) be taken away, through democracy. We see this happen again and again as governments weigh in on who its citizens can love, who they may have sex with and how their bodies can be (ab)used.

I tend to judge the maturity of democracy with an ethics evaluation:

Who is in the room when decisions are being made?
Whose voices are heard?
Whose voices are missing?

The unheard voices can guide us to the next stepping stone.
Lest we slip, fall down and need to start over.

Scholars of race, colonialism, and imperialism keep reminding us «how the myths of national “greatness” were and continue to be written on the backs of largely silenced, marginalized and oftentimes enslaved or unfree, “others.”» It's still a ways to go.

newfascismsyllabus.com/news-and-annou…

"The future of America is not decided tomorrow. It’s decided every day.” by @NesrineMalik @The_Corres

thecorrespondent.com/776/the-future…

🔗 Originally posted on Twitter