1 Introduction

1.1 Purpose of text

This site is based on "As the People Want It, Blueprint for a new confederation" published by Fremskrittspartiets Utredningsinstitutt, an independent research institute dedicated to political and economic research and analysis in Oslo, Norway in 1992. (ISBN 82-7500-007-6, ISSN 0802-359X).

The purpose of the original text was, and it is also the purpose of this site, to present a new governmental model based on the interests of ordinary people in their individual, group and collective capacities. While most governments rely on virtue in civic life, the proposed model only assumes that each individual acts in his own rational self-interest. If he or she is virtuous, so much the better. But I don't rely on individual virtue to bring about good government.

Throughout the text I shall point out some shortcomings of current constitutional arrangements and their adverse effects on the daily lives of ordinary people. Also I shall attempt to highlight the differences between present constitutions and my proposal.

With the collapse of Communism in Europe and an increased interest in constitutional issues related to the Maastricht treaty of the European Union, it seemed especially fitting to present these ideas in 1992. The issues themselves, however, are not time dependent in the sense that they become outdated. The general principles related to the drafting of constitutions are as timely today (2001) as they were in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

1.1 How the text is organized

The first part of the text presents the General Principles of the proposed governmental structure. Main Features provides a summary of the essential points.

Section by Section Commentary is a reference section for those who want to study the constitutional proposal in detail. Constitution contains the actual text of the proposed constitution. Appendices & References contains additional notes etc.

1.2 Summary

The purpose of this site is to present and argue in favor of a new model for governmental structures based on the interests of each citizen in his individual, group and collective capacities.