Serbia awaits parliamentary elections elections. The relevant political forces that will compete in the elections are grouped into two columns: the pro-regime column and the column gathered around "student lists". Parliamentary opposition parties that condemned themselves to a deep hibernation, and perhaps permanent disappearance from the political scene.
Below is a proposal of values and program principles around which the progressive forces of Serbia (PSS) could gather, which will be led by what is informally called the "student list", or take them into consideration when formulating program principles before going to the upcoming elections. This proposal is intentionally quite concise in order to be as clear as possible (while avoiding demagoguery and banalization), so that it can communicate with as many people as possible, and finally, so that the proposed principles and program orientations can be discussed as effectively as possible in the public space and among those forces that I call progressive (led by the student plenums and civic assemblies), in order to achieve the highest quality pre-election program (both in terms of content and form), which would serve as a framework for the actions of the future legislative and executive authorities, in the event that the PSS ("student list") wins a parliamentary majority and forms a government.
Democracy
PSS is dedicated to the affirmation of freedom and the democratization of society based on the value of life and the dignity of every human person. Democratization of society means:
· Creation of a system in which all adult citizens have a real opportunity to participate in the governance of the state (eg through legitimate and legal elections)
· The possibility of criticism and a peaceful change of government
· Elimination of violence, political, legal and economic pressures on people who do not agree with government representatives or their policies, or who legitimately oppose the ruling class
· Making it possible for all decision-making levels in society to respect the principle that everyone who is directly affected by a decision has a real opportunity to participate in making that decision.
The legitimacy of decisions and exercise of power at any level depends on respect for this principle. Accordingly, there must be no concentration of power in the hands of one individual, caste, class, professional group, etc.
All institutions, companies and platforms operating in the physical or digital space, whether established by the state, groups of citizens or private actors, that acquire a significant influence on the public sphere or the life of the general population should be put under democratic control and must be under public supervision. The primary goal of the most important social organizations must be the common good, not the realization of profits or the promotion of private interests. In order to ensure this, it is necessary to enact appropriate regulations that prevent the excessive accumulation of private wealth and the associated political influence.
Human rights
The life, freedom and dignity of every person are inviolable. Everyone is responsible for affirming the life, freedom, dignity and well-being of others. All people enjoy the same human rights, regardless of race, gender, age, class, nationality, ethnicity, religion or any other identity or social role. Individuals, communities, organizations and state authorities are obliged to protect the life, liberty, dignity, equality and well-being of every person.
The inviolability of human life
It should be considered illegitimate and illegal to take the life of another person under any circumstances, except when required by the necessary and minimal application of self-defense. It should also be considered illegitimate and illegal to take a human life to defend property or as a subsequent punishment for a crime committed.
Human dignity
Human dignity implies that people must not be subjected to degrading treatment or torture. Torture is understood as any form of treatment that inflicts physical or mental pain on a person, against their will, either as a punishment or a method of coercion. All means of coercion against individuals or groups, beyond the absolute minimum and necessary measures needed to protect other individuals or society itself, should be considered illegal.
Freedom
Freedom of opinion, expression (in any form), research and publication of research results, as well as the freedom to choose religious or other beliefs and attitudes, represent essential rights that cannot be taken away under any conditions. No one can be sanctioned for what he thinks or for the opinion he expresses, no matter how unpopular that opinion may be. At the same time, the right of others to express criticism of others' views and positions must also be inalienable.
In all other respects, the freedom of individuals (eg freedom of movement) can be limited only if there is reasonable suspicion that the actions of those individuals pose a reasonable threat to other individuals or to society.
Prohibition of all forms of slavery
Any form of slavery – including debt slavery and forced labor – should be considered unacceptable and illegal.
The rule of law and the fight against corruption
PSS advocates for the rule of law, respect for the constitutional order and the law, based on the principles presented here. This also implies an uncompromising fight against corruption, especially large-scale and systemic corruption.
Social mobility and meritocracy
Social mobility (horizontal and vertical mobility through society) is a key factor in the development of society, and it must be based on competence and achieved results. This prevents incompetent people from being given responsibilities that exceed their abilities (thereby harming society), but it also prevents competence from becoming a privilege based on class or a closed interest circle (thereby eliminating social mobility).
The right to security and well-being
Human beings have the right to meet the basic needs necessary to sustain life. This includes the right to (healthy) food, clean water, medicines and medical procedures in case of illness, accommodation and personal contact with loved ones (provided that such contact is also desired by the other party).
In case of inability to repay the debt, each individual must be guaranteed living space and income (or equivalent) sufficient to meet basic life needs.
Basic living space and means for a dignified life cannot be taken away from an individual or family under any conditions.
The state must enter into social housing projects, which would guarantee housing for the most vulnerable segments of the population, as well as acceptable housing prices for those with lower incomes.
Health, education, security and economic security
The primary goals of the state are to provide all citizens with quality healthcare, education, a sufficient level of security and basic economic security that guarantees a dignified life.
Economic justice
The difference between the richest and poorest citizens must be maintained within reasonable limits, so that it does not harm society, nor is it in conflict with the above-proclaimed values of human life, freedom and dignity. Excessive concentration of private wealth is socially and economically harmful. Progressive taxation should ensure that, after a certain level of income or amount of wealth acquired, further increase in wealth becomes unprofitable.
Health protection
All citizens should be covered by the same publicly funded health insurance system and have equal access to necessary medical services and procedures. The extent and type of treatment should be determined solely by the nature of the disease, the level of medical knowledge and available technology/drugs, not the social status or financial capabilities of the individual.
Education
Acquiring quality education is a necessary condition for the development of society and personality. Access to quality education must be ensured for all. Enrollment in secondary and tertiary education (secondary schools and colleges), and the possibility of continuing education at higher levels, should depend solely on the personal affinities and abilities of the individual, not on wealth, origin, political and other influences.
The education system should:
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It provides a solid general education. In addition to specialized knowledge and critical thinking, broader knowledge exposes students to different ideas and methodologies, helping them to understand the complex connections between certain fields and society;
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Enable pupils/students to become experts in a specific field by acquiring relevant and in-depth knowledge and skills;
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It develops the ability to think critically, especially when it comes to higher education - which is of key importance both for academic progress and for the formation of a responsible citizen who will be able to participate constructively in the life of the community. Critical thinking enables citizens to resist media manipulation and propaganda narratives, as well as to develop more complex ways of articulating ideas and social processes;
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It contributes to personal development. Education should nurture and develop talents and interests in pupils/students, to enable not only the acquisition of individual knowledge and skills, but also the connection of those knowledge and skills with personal experience, interests and life situations. In this way, knowledge and ideas become tangible and relevant, while helping individuals to articulate and overcome personal challenges, allowing them to grow and develop as human beings.
Foreign policy
PSS remains committed to EU integration to the same extent and dynamics with which the EU remains committed to the admission of Serbia into full membership.
PSS will cooperate with all relevant regional and international factors for the purpose of affirming peace, stability, cooperation, and realization of program goals in the interest of the citizens of Serbia.
Environmental and economic sustainability
Protecting nature and raising the level of environmental awareness and quality of the environment must be priorities. It is necessary to reaffirm the values of less consumption, reduction of waste production and establish a high level of new recycling, as well as (self)sustainable forms of life and production in local communities in symbiosis with the natural environment. Reduction of consumption and consumption, and elimination of waste (except for that which can be completely recycled without additional damage to nature) are not only possible, but also necessary.
Waste production should be additionally taxed, as well as luxury goods.
Economic policy
Economic policy must be based on encouraging private initiative, domestic production and exports. For this purpose, it is necessary to form development banks, strengthen resistance to external influences and reduce the country's indebtedness.
The state must ensure that strategic resources are domestically owned, and that the production of key goods (food, water, medicine, energy) is domestic.
Private ownership and organizations of private ownership
Legally acquired property must be protected by law.
Private ownership of natural resources such as water, air, large areas of land and forests must be limited or completely abolished. Only smaller areas of land can be owned by those who live on them or cultivate them for their own needs, while larger arable areas can be ceded under certain conditions for the production of food and other products of importance to the community.
Society must manage natural resources so that they benefit the community, and do not cause permanent damage to the rest of the natural world.
Restitution of illegally acquired property
All illegally acquired property must be confiscated. For this purpose, it is necessary to pass a law which, in order to establish the concept of justice, will apply the differentiation of responsibility. Justice does not require the same punishment for all, but a fair one: the architects of the system must bear the greatest responsibility, corrupt profiteers must be treated as those who consciously used the system to increase their personal wealth, while those who were forced to participate in such a system must be recognized as a special category that, apart from paying taxes on additional (and illegitimately) acquired profits, would be exempt from criminal liability (according to the regulations that exist when it comes to cooperating witnesses).
Labor rights
The state must ensure a high level of protection of workers' rights, including protection at work, the right to adequate compensation for work, the right to rest, protection against the arbitrariness of the employer, protection in case of termination of employment, etc.
Copyright
Excessive copyright protection - which prevents or significantly limits human and social development, the growth of knowledge and the increase in the well-being of the largest number of citizens - must be prevented. Private profit cannot take precedence over the welfare of all. All inventions that directly contribute to the protection and improvement of life, health and well-being of people and nature must be in the public domain. With appropriate recognition of authorship and fair compensation to the inventor/author (reflecting the social importance of the invention/intellectual property), patents and other forms of intellectual property should be freely available.
The right to public and private space without advertisements
Individuals and communities should have the right to live and work in private and public spaces without exposure to advertising. Instead of excessive, aggressive and intrusive advertisements aimed at realizing private profits, which privatize public space, people should have access to relevant, reliable and informative product descriptions when they need them.
Data collection and monitoring
No individual or company has the right to collect any personal data without the express consent of the person or persons whose data is being collected. It is necessary that those from whom data collection is requested have a realistic choice so that, by refusing to give consent to the collection of their data, they would not be exposed to any form of discrimination or jeopardy of basic rights and fair opportunities. Collecting personal data - or data from the public domain - for profit should be taxed.
No company or agency, private or public, directly or indirectly, may be permitted to conduct surveillance on people, their private correspondence, physical and online activities, except by express court order issued on the basis of credible evidence related to specific criminal acts, on the assumption that the surveillance may provide evidence of serious criminal acts being committed or planned.
Artificial intelligence
The use of "artificial intelligence" must be strictly regulated. Any institutional use of AI systems in which citizens may suffer negative consequences of such use (eg in making political or judicial decisions, or using AI for "personalized" pricing with the aim of illegitimate profit making) must be prohibited.
A culture of solidarity and compassion
Affirmation of a culture of solidarity, cooperation and empathy, against a culture of toxic competitiveness, an affirmation of antagonism between often artificially created collective identities (for the purpose of commodification and exploitation of those antagonisms), mutual hostility and alienation. Active resistance to oppression is needed, both on an individual and a collective level. If a person does not resist and fight against repression, not only when "my" or "our" life, freedom, rights and well-being are threatened, but also when other people are exposed to repression, then he becomes an accomplice in that repression.
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