The Code of Conduct: A Summary of the Above
The Basics
1. Live with honesty and integrity – in all conduct, public and private.
2. Uphold and promote democratic principles – actively champion democracy and never undermine it.
3. Respect all lawful political views – opposition is reserved only for those views or actors that are demonstrably anti-democratic.
4. Lead with the positive – argue for what you stand for; reference what you oppose only as contrast.
5. Campaign legally and non-aggressively – peaceful, lawful engagement is the default; any exception requires extraordinary justification.
6. Keep learning – pursue a deepening understanding of democracy in all its facets.
Emotional Insight
1. Cultivate emotional maturity – honesty, empathy, compassion, resilience and personal responsibility are essential democratic virtues.
2. Channel anger constructively – when injustice motivates action, redirect that energy toward the positive outcome you seek, not against the source of grievance.
3. Avoid blame; model accountability – rather than attacking others, demonstrate what responsible conduct looks like.
4. Maintain balance and self-awareness – recognise your own emotional state and its influence on how you engage with others.
Democrats in Politics
1. Distinguish democratic principles from political opinion – democracy always takes precedence; political views must yield when the two conflict.
2. Exercise power with humility and restraint – acknowledge its limits and the harm its misuse can cause.
3. Declare aspirations, not promises – be honest about intent and realistic about outcomes.
4. Deliver what you campaign on – integrity between mandate and action is non-negotiable.
5. Accept defeat gracefully – when due democratic process has been followed and no principles have been broken, respect the result.
Debates & Discussion Within the Movement
1. Stay on topic – discuss only what is relevant to democracy; set aside unrelated political disagreements.
2. Acknowledge your own biases – declare them when it is helpful, and invite others to do the same.
3. Resolve differences through discussion – always seek understanding before division.
4. Argue for democracy, not against opponents – frame contributions around democratic values.
5. Respect minority opinion within the movement – if outvoted, stand aside gracefully from actions you disagree with.
Effecting Change
1. Promote democracy in all external engagement – whether the subject is democratic or otherwise, every interaction is an opportunity to model democratic values.
2. Pursue change through people and process – democratic improvement requires popular will expressed through legitimate political channels.
3. Name undemocratic behaviour, not individuals – challenge the conduct, not the person; never be partisan or resort to name-calling.
4. Champion the lenient, peaceful resolution – always advocate for the measured, non-confrontational path first.
5. Reserve anti-democratic tactics as a last resort only – in rare extremis, where democracy itself is under existential threat, proportionate defensive action may be justified, with the uncompromising commitment to fully restore all suspended democratic principles once the threat has passed.