While I think most people love the connectivity that the internet has given us to the broader world, I refuse to accept the notion that we must simultaneously give up on local governance in order to fully embrace globalism, internationalism, federalism or any other "ism" that has us looking outside of our own cities, towns or neighborhoods on a regular basis. I actually find myself wondering how many people in my city even recognize local governance as a part of their lives? I get the sense that when people talk about municipal government and politics that they think they are discussing something equivalent to minor league baseball or Off Broadway theater. The national capital. That is where the action happens!
What's worse, is that when you live in an enormous city like I do, you should not even be stopping at consideration of municipal government and politics. You need to be thinking even more locally than that. Instead, it seems most people are looking the other way and would be much more interested in discussing something international, transnational or foreign than to stoop to discussing local issues. It seems there is not a citizen of Toronto who does not have a well-honed personal opinion on Donald Trump. Our local newspapers certainly cover him every day. We also get pretty caught up in issues of importance in foreign lands further abroad than the US. But do most citizens know the names of their city councilor?
I live in a neighborhood with its own cute name and signs that make you think you are entering a small town. The cute name and signs actually had a cute little government to go with them until 1967. In fact, the majority of this area's history since the name was given, unfolded as its own town with its own local government that was in the vicinity of - rather than a part of - Toronto. Even when the town got amalgamated into a larger area in 1967, it was into a localize borough of a larger metro area at first and only later into the "Megacity" of Toronto. What have we been left with in terms of local governance since losing the town council? A FACEBOOK GROUP! That's what.
I will not name the group as I do not wish to become an outcast from my neighbors but I will describe it. Anything from car break-ins to litter in the local park get mentions on this page. People get in arguments about things like urban development and affordable housing. The police are complained about and so on. There are some useful elements too, like people's willingness to make recommendations and reviews on local vendors and service providers. Sourcing local products and services is great and so too is being able to find play groups for our little kids, so the page is actually helpful in many ways but from a governance perspective, let's just say there is rich irony that the page is hosted on Facebook!
People complain about our city councilor. (She's actually quite good but politics are a rough business). People play junior crime reporter. People also do things like complain that the police won't do anything when their stuff gets stolen from their car but then also refuse to fill out a proper police report because they say it takes too long. They want action on gang violence but also want sirens and flashing lights fast approaching if someone's bicycle is stolen. Here's the problem. We as a group are not taking much actual action to remedy the problems in our area or to take advantage of the opportunities. We rely on a city representative who oversees an area roughly ten time the size of our little town but we have forgotten how to organize locally. Just because we would not have an officially recognized government does not mean we cannot govern ourselves to some degree. If we are ever going to see the local changes we want to see, we need to start thinking a lot more like a local council and a lot less like a group of victims with a Facebook page.
The concept is not overly difficult. If the park is dirty, organize a clean up or start a group of volunteers to act as supervisors during regular use hours. Stop leaving your cars unlocked and your valuables inside. Organize a neighborhood watch. Identify and fortify soft targets for petty crime. Organize a properly run advocacy group to represent the larger group to local and higher level politicians. These things are really not that hard. I just think that most people's minds do not even go there anymore.
I would love to see more local governance in all of our lives. The stronger we are locally, the better we are positioned to protect ourselves against the overreach of the broader governments.
All the best,
CW