Table of Contents

1. The Problem of Modern Democracy
2. Mission of IFAND
3. Vision of IFAND
4. Disciplines and Expert Teams
5. Specific Projects to Advance IFAND's Mission
6. Organizational and Operational Structure

1. The Problem of Modern Democracy

Modern democracy, despite its virtues of citizen participation, pluralism, and transparency, faces fundamental challenges that render it ineffective and obsolete in certain contexts. These problems arise because contemporary democracy is built on an outdated view of human psychology. It assumes that individuals are primarily rational and capable of self-control, a model increasingly debunked by advancements in psychology. This mismatch between the system and human psychological reality leads to the election of populist leaders, the perpetuation of corruption, political polarization, and institutional stagnation. In short, our democracy is failing because it is built on faulty premises.

2. Mission of IFAND

In response to these challenges, IFAND's mission is to reassess the fundamental premises of democracy. Our goal is to construct a new model of democracy or governance system that is better aligned with current understandings of human psychology, including our complex cognition, emotional influences, biases, and socially constructed realities.

We aim to spearhead a transformative dialogue to reshape democracy in the 21st century. We seek to fuse cutting-edge research in psychology, technology, and global challenges to create a viable and humane governance model. We are not a political party but an ideas generator and an invaluable resource for those looking to transform democracy for the common good.

Key Objectives

1. Generate New Knowledge: Conduct rigorous research to form the basis of a new democratic model that considers human psychology, technology, and global challenges.
2. Blueprint and Roadmap: Develop a detailed governance model and a practical action plan with specific steps and measurable goals to transition from the old to the new democratic model.
3. Develop Governance Technology: Research, design, and implement technologies that facilitate the new governance model aimed at addressing the psychological challenges in democracy.
4. Effective Communication: Disseminate ideas and accomplishments clearly and compellingly to foster real change using advanced communication and media strategy methods.

Additional Elements of the Mission

• Rigorous Research: To understand and address the complex challenges facing modern democracies.
• Education and Awareness: To inform the public about the importance of updating our democracy.
• Global Collaboration: To enrich and validate our proposals through international cooperation.
• Continuous Innovation: To remain adaptive and prepared for new challenges and opportunities.
• Integrity and Transparency: To gain society's trust and active participation in this transformative journey.
• Participation and Validation: Involve various stakeholders in creating and validating the model to ensure its practicality and acceptance.
• Flexibility and Adaptability: To ensure the new model can adapt to different cultural contexts and respond to emerging challenges.

By implementing this comprehensive and results-oriented approach, IFAND aspires to be a think tank for reflection and innovation and an entity offering tangible solutions for democratic transformation in the contemporary era.

Further Reflection

The transformation of democracy is pivotal in an increasingly interconnected and complex world. Political systems must adapt to reflect the complexity of human nature, emerging global challenges, and the opportunities presented by expanding technology and knowledge. IFAND aims to be a leading voice in this essential transformation, fostering a future where governance is truly representative, fair, and capable of tackling the challenges of the 21st century.

3. Vision of IFAND

We envision a future where democracies serve as a true reflection of the intricate tapestry of the human condition. In this world, governance systems will safeguard essential liberties and rights and be designed to be resilient and adaptive. These systems will be grounded in an advanced and nuanced understanding of human psychology and will be bolstered by cutting-edge technologies that enable more effective and representative governance.

This new governance paradigm will incorporate citizen participation mechanisms specifically designed to counteract human tendencies that hinder true democracy, such as lack of self-control or innate irrationality. We acknowledge that the human mind can be a tempestuous sea; hence, our mission is to provide the navigational tools needed to sail through it safely, bringing technology on board as an essential ally in this endeavor.

On this journey, we see ourselves as the compass guiding nations and communities toward more effective democratic models. We provide a detailed blueprint and a roadmap for political systems to evolve in a way that empowers, understands, and genuinely represents each individual. In summary, we aspire to governance resulting from a harmonious convergence of our rational faculties, our emotional and social impulses, and the enhanced capabilities of emerging technologies.

4. Disciplines and Teams of Experts

Faced with the challenge of fulfilling IFAND's mission and vision and aiming to tackle the complex issues that modern democracy confronts, we propose the formation of a multidisciplinary team comprised of experts in the following areas:

1. Psychology and Neuroscience:
   • Objective: Understand human behavior and decision-making to integrate it into enhancing the democratic system.
   • Experts: Psychologists, neuroscientists, human behavior specialists.
2. Political Science and Governance:
   • Objective: Analyze existing governance systems, democratic practices, and how these interact with human psychology.
   • Experts: Political scientists, public ethics experts, governance specialists.
3. Technology and Computer Science:
   • Objective: Leverage technology to facilitate more secure and transparent voting systems and to disseminate trustworthy information.
   • Experts: Software engineers, cybersecurity specialists, blockchain experts.
4. Sociology and Anthropology:
   • Objective: Understand social dynamics influencing decision-making and citizen participation.
   • Experts: Sociologists, anthropologists, group dynamics specialists.
5. Communication and Media:
   • Objective: Improve the quality of public information and mitigate polarization through effective communication.
   • Experts: Journalists, media experts, communications specialists.
6. Law and Legislation:
   • Objective: Establish a legal framework that supports the new democratic model.
   • Experts: Legal scholars, constitutional law experts, electoral law specialists.
7. Economics and Finance:
   • Objective: Assess the economic impact of implementing a new democratic system.
   • Experts: Economists, financial analysts, public policy experts.
8. Education and Civic Education:
   • Objective: Educate the public about the new democratic model and promote a culture of active participation.
   • Experts: Educators, civic education experts, adult education specialists.
9. Ethics and Philosophy:
   • Objective: Address the ethical implications of transforming the democratic system and how it aligns with human values.
   • Experts: Philosophers, ethicists, applied ethics specialists.

Steps to Follow

1. Diagnosing the Current Situation: Each team will conduct an in-depth diagnosis of the current situation within their discipline and how it impacts democracy.
2. Identifying Challenges and Opportunities: Teams will pinpoint challenges and opportunities to be discussed in brainstorming sessions.
3. Proposing Solutions: Based on the identified challenges, each team will propose solutions and strategies to tackle them.
4. Integration and Cohesion: A central committee will coordinate the proposed solutions from various teams to form a cohesive strategy.
5. Implementation and Testing: Conduct pilot tests of the proposed solutions and adjust based on the results.
6. Feedback and Fine-tuning: Gather feedback from experts, leaders, and citizens and make any necessary adjustments.
7. Documentation and Dissemination: Compile findings and solutions into a "Handbook for the New Democracy" and other communication resources.

This multidisciplinary approach ensures that all facets of the inherent complexity in democratic reform are addressed while maintaining a rigorous focus on the mission and vision of IFAND.

5. Specific Projects to Advance the Mission of IFAND

Creation of the "Handbook for the New Democracy" 

The creation of the "Handbook for the New Democracy" is a comprehensive effort aimed at providing a detailed and adaptive governance model grounded in a contemporary understanding of human psychology, ethics, and technology. This handbook is organized into chapters that range from diagnosing the challenges of current democracy to concrete, scalable solutions. Below is a detailed outline of the chapters, objectives, specific investigative themes, team structure, responsibilities, and designated leaders.

Chapter 1: Diagnosis of the Current State of Democracy

• Objective: To offer a clear view of the current landscape of democracy and its challenges.
• Themes to Investigate:
  • Historical overview of democracy and its evolution.
  • Contemporary Challenges: polarization, populism, corruption.
• Team: Historians, Political Scientists, Sociologists.
• Working Method: Comparative analysis of different democratic systems and historical data evaluation.
• Leader: Senior Political Scientist.

Chapter 2: Human Psychology and Decision-Making

• Objective: To understand how human psychology impacts decision-making in a democratic environment and offer strategies to mitigate the negative aspects of human psychology.
• Themes to Investigate:
  • Irrationality and cognitive biases.
  • Strategies to mitigate irrationality and other negative aspects of human psychology in political decision-making.
• Team: Psychologists, Neuroscientists, Philosophers.
• Working Method: Review of scientific literature and conducting empirical studies.
• Leader: Clinical Psychologist with expertise in decision-making.

Chapter 3: Technology and Democracy

• Objective: To examine the role of technology in optimizing democratic systems.
• Themes to Investigate:
  • Secure electronic voting systems.
  • Use of blockchain for transparency.
• Team: Software Engineers, Cybersecurity Experts, Blockchain Specialists.
• Working Method: Development of prototypes and proof of concept.
• Leader: Software Engineer with a focus on civic technologies.

Chapter 4: Legal and Ethical Framework

• Objective: Establish a legal and ethical framework that supports the new vision of democracy.
• Topics to Investigate:
  • Modern electoral laws.
  • Ethics in governance and citizen participation.
• Team: Constitutional Lawyers, Ethicists, Public Policy Experts.
• Methodology: Review of existing legislation and proposals for reforms.
• Leader: Constitutional Lawyer experienced in political reforms.

Chapter 5: Citizen Participation and Political Culture

• Objective: Encourage active and informed citizen participation, including mechanisms for electing representatives.
• Topics to Investigate:
  • Mechanisms for citizen participation.
  • Representation structure and methods for electing representatives.
• Importance of civic education.
• Team: Social Scientists, Communication Specialists, Educators.
• Methodology: Design and evaluation of pilot participation programs.
• Leader: Political Communication Specialist.

Chapter 6: Economics and Finances of the New Democracy

• Objective: Assess the economic impact of implementing a new democratic system.
• Topics to Investigate:
  • Implementation cost.
  • Long-term economic impact.
• Team: Economists, Financial Analysts.
• Methodology: Economic modeling and impact analysis.
• Leader: Economist experienced in public finances.

Chapter 7: Innovation and Adaptability

• Objective: Outline how the new system can adapt to future challenges and opportunities.
• Topics to Investigate:
  • Design of resilient and adaptive systems.
  • Assessment of risks and future scenarios.
• Team: System Designers, Futurists, Risk Analysts.
• Methodology: Scenario projections and resilience analysis.
• Leader: System Designer with a focus on innovation.

Chapter 8: Roadmap for Implementing the Proposed Governance Model

• Objective: To provide a detailed plan for transitioning to the new form of democracy, including a comprehensive description of the proposed governance model.
• Areas to Investigate:
  • Phases and measurable goals.
  • Comprehensive description of the new proposed governance model.
  • Strategies for community, national, and international adoption.
• Team: Strategic Planners, Political Analysts, Project Management Experts.
• Working Method: Development of a detailed action plan and implementation strategies.
• Leader: Strategic Planner with experience in institutional transformations.

Chapter 9: Case Studies and Pilot Tests

• Objective: To showcase proof of concept and real-world examples where the new model has been or could be implemented.
• Areas to Investigate:
  • Analysis of pilot tests.
  • Case studies of successful implementation.
• Team: Field Researchers, Data Analysts, Social Scientists.
• Working Method: Collection and analysis of data from pilot tests and case studies.
• Leader: Field Researcher with experience in policy evaluation.

This structure ensures a comprehensive and expert approach to building the "Handbook for the New Democracy." Each team will be led by an expert in the relevant field, ensuring efficient coordination and effective execution of each chapter.

Roadmap: 

The "Roadmap" is a critical component that will be a hands-on supplement to the "Handbook for the New Democracy." While Chapter 8 of the handbook describes the proposed governance model and offers a theoretical action plan, the "Roadmap" will be designed as a practical and actionable guide. This plan will lay out the specific steps, timelines, and metrics to guide the actual implementation of the reimagined governance system. Below, we detail the teams' structure, responsibilities, and designated leaders for crafting this "Roadmap."

Specific Objectives of the Roadmap:

1. Identify key stages for transitioning to the new system.
2. Establish metrics and KPIs to assess progress and success.
3. Allocate responsibilities and necessary resources.
4. Define timelines and milestones to be reached.
5. Outline mechanisms for monitoring and adjustments.

Teams of Experts and Responsibilities

Phase 1: Preliminary Research and Analysis

• Team: Data Analysts, Public Policy Researchers, Social Scientists.
• Responsibilities: Establish the baseline, gather data, and identify barriers and facilitators.
• Leader: Senior Data Analyst.

Phase 2: Action Plan Design

• Team: Strategic Planners, Process Specialists, and Project Management Experts.
• Responsibilities: Develop the detailed structure of the plan, including milestones, timelines, and necessary resources.
• Leader: Process Specialist.

Phase 3: Development of Metrics and KPIs

• Team: Statisticians, Data Analysts, Evaluation Experts.
• Responsibilities: Create metrics and KPIs to evaluate the success of each stage of the plan.
• Leader: Statistician with experience in policy evaluation.

Phase 4: Communication and Training

• Team: Communication Experts, Educators, Training Designers.
• Responsibilities: Design and execute communication strategies and training programs.
• Leader: Expert in Strategic Communication.

Phase 5: Implementation and Monitoring

• Team: Project Managers, Field Coordinators, Impact Analysts.
• Responsibilities: Coordinate on-the-ground implementation, oversee progress, and adjust as needed.
• Leader: Project Manager with experience in large-scale implementations.

Phase 6: Evaluation and Adjustments

• Team: Evaluators, Risk Analysts, Quality Experts.
• Responsibilities: Review progress, evaluate against KPIs, and recommend adjustments.
• Leader: Evaluator with experience in public policies.

This structure ensures that the "Roadmap" will be a detailed and practical action plan, differentiating itself from the more theoretical and descriptive focus of Chapter 8 in the "Handbook for the New Democracy." With specialized teams for each phase and competent leaders at the helm, we are poised for an effective and measurable implementation process.

Technological Projects

Technology opens up new avenues for enhancing the fundamental aspects of modern democracy. For this reason, IFAND will establish multidisciplinary teams focused on developing scalable technological solutions that can be rolled out to optimize and strengthen democratic governance.

Key Objectives

The technological projects under IFAND aim to:

• Upgrade voting systems, making them more secure, accessible, and transparent.
• Combat misinformation and provide access to credible and balanced information.
• Mitigate biases and manipulations through the use of artificial intelligence.
• Boost citizen engagement via secure digital platforms.
• Offer data visualization tools that demystify complex policies.
• Create traceable records of political influences and decisions using technologies like blockchain.

Implementation Strategy

The technological projects will be executed following an agile approach that allows for prototyping, evaluating, and iteratively improving solutions. Multidisciplinary teams will be formed, comprising roles such as:

• Software engineers
• Artificial intelligence experts
• Data analysts
• Cryptographers
• User interface specialists
• Sociologists and political scientists

These solutions will undergo pilot testing, stakeholder consultations, and feasibility assessments before scaling up.

Key Partnerships

IFAND will seek to establish strategic alliances with:

• Universities and technological research centers
• Startups focused on civic innovation
• Civil society organizations specialized in transparency and participation
• Government agencies committed to democratic modernization

These partnerships will equip the technological projects with the specialized knowledge and resources necessary for real-world impact. Support from multiple sectors will also lend greater legitimacy to the developed solutions.

Preselected Technological Projects

As a starting point, IFAND has shortlisted the following technological projects based on their potential to address key challenges in modern democracy. Teams of experts will review and validate these projects once the institute commences operations.

Project: Predictive Policy Bot

Problem: Short-Term Thinking. Solution: An AI bot that runs simulations to forecast the long-term implications of policy proposals.

Project: Veritas

Addresses: Misinformation and Disinformation. Product: An AI-powered fact-checking assistant that users can consult to verify claims and obtain accurate contextual information from trustworthy sources.

Project: Polyphonia

Addresses: Accessibility and Inclusion. Product: An adaptive voting interface that adjusts terminology, complexity, and presentation based on the user's educational level and abilities.

Project: Sensus

Addresses: Emotional Manipulation. Product: A digital assistant that detects emotionally exploitative language in political messages and provides impartial reframing.

Project: Cognitive Coach

Addresses: Cognitive Biases. Product: A digital assistant that detects cognitive biases in real-time and guides users toward more balanced thinking.

Project: Akrasia

Addresses: Lack of Accountability. Product: A blockchain-based transparency platform that tracks the influences and impacts of each political decision.

Project: Didasko

Addresses: Outdated Civic Education. Product: An AI tutor that employs simulations, games, and adaptive lessons to teach critical thinking and media literacy.

Project: Legibilis

Addresses: Excessive Complexity. Product: An AI system that generates straightforward explanations and translates laws and policies.

Through these technology-driven projects guided by a comprehensive strategy, IFAND aims to be a trailblazer in innovative solutions capable of reinforcing the bedrock of democracy for the demands of the 21st century.

Effective Communication

While previous objectives aim to develop, validate, and adapt the model, this goal ensures that ideas and achievements are clearly and persuasively communicated to the public and stakeholders. Herein, I present a detailed plan with specific objectives, team structure, responsibilities, and designated leaders.

Specific Objectives for Effective Communication:

1. Design a comprehensive communication strategy.
2. Develop communication materials like reports, executive summaries, and presentations.
3. Conduct public awareness campaigns and outreach.
4. Measure the impact of communication strategies and adjust accordingly.

Expert Teams and Responsibilities

Phase 1: Communication Strategy Design

• Team: Communication Strategists, Marketing Specialists, Public Relations.
• Responsibilities: Formulate a communication strategy tailored to diverse target groups.
• Leader: Communication Strategist with experience in social change campaigns.

Phase 2: Development of Communication Materials

• Team: Graphic Designers, Writers, Data Analysts.
• Responsibilities: Create reports, summaries, presentations, and other materials.
• Leader: Graphic Designer experienced in communicating complex ideas.

Phase 3: Awareness and Outreach Campaigns

• Team: Event Coordinators, Social Media Specialists, Journalists.
• Responsibilities: Implement the communication strategy across various channels and platforms.
• Leader: Event Coordinator with a track record in successful campaigns.

Phase 4: Impact Measurement and Adjustment

• Team: Impact Analysts, Statisticians, Program Evaluators.
• Responsibilities: Assess the effectiveness of the communication and make strategic adjustments.
• Leader: Impact Analyst experienced in evaluating communication programs.

This objective focuses on the critical stage of taking ideas from the drawing board to social and political reality, ensuring that the public and stakeholders understand and adopt the new democracy model. Its emphasis on effective communication makes it essential for the project's overall success.

6. Organizational and Operational Structure

Board of Directors:

Comprised of leaders and experts in relevant fields. Responsible for oversight and strategic direction of IFAND. The CEO reports to this body.

For a balanced and diverse Board of Directors, we recommend incorporating between 7 and 9 members with the following profiles:

• 2 experts in political science, governance, and democratic systems. Ideally, 1 academic and 1 with governmental experience.
• 1 legal/constitutional expert with a track record in democratic reforms.
• 1 expert in citizen participation and social movements.
• 1 expert in political psychology and electoral behavior.
• 1 expert in ethics and political philosophy.
• 1 business leader with experience in institutional innovation.
• 1 NGO leader involved in democracy and human rights.
• 1 expert in strategic communication or investigative journalism.

The blend of academic, governmental, social, and business perspectives will provide a comprehensive outlook. A board of 7 to 9 members allows for productive debates without becoming too cumbersome.

Executive Level

1. Executive Director: Responsible for the overall vision and leadership of IFAND.
2. Advisory Board: A more tactical group than the Board of Directors, focused on advising in technical and scientific areas.
3. Director of Finance: Financial oversight and budgeting.
4. Director of Research and Development: Oversees expert teams.
5. Director of Strategic Initiatives: Oversees planning, implementation, and evaluation.
6. Director of Technology: In charge of developing technological solutions.
7. Director of Communications and Outreach: Communication strategy and dissemination.

Multidisciplinary Teams

• Expert teams according to disciplines and specific project teams mentioned in the document.

Operational Level

• Assistants, field coordinators, data analysts, etc.