The following discussion on Open and Closed Societies is underway at George Soros' Open Society Discussion Forum

Philip

http://soros.org/osi.html "Discussion Forum" "Open Society - General Discussion"

*** Lev Shakhmundes - 01:54pm Feb 24, 2000 (#29 of 30)

"Open Society - Square One

If we want to stay focussed on a topic we have selected, we have to always remember what is in Square One. If it happens that we lose our way and start drifting away in our deliberations, we will return to Square One to sort out the difficulties.

The Open Society matters are central within the Soros Foundations Network. If you select National Foundations on the soros.org home page, you will read the following in the introductory paragraph: "... all of the foundations' activities share an overarching common mission: to support the development of an open society." On the home page itself, you can see the flash, "Soros Foundations Network (is) Dedicated to building Open Societies around the World." We can conclude that, indeed, the topic we have selected is very important as far as this web site is concerned.

What is an "open society"? This is exactly the question that is asked and answered in the first paragraph of Frequently Asked Questions, which is an option in the pull-down list on the home page. I am reproducing the explanation in its entirety below.

"An open society is a society based on the recognition that nobody has a monopoly on the truth, that different people have different views and interests, and that there is a need for institutions to protect the rights of all people to allow them to live together in peace. Broadly speaking, an open society is characterized by a reliance on the rule of law, the existence of a democratically elected government, a diverse and vigorous civil society, and respect for minorities and minority opinions. The term "open society" was popularized by the philosopher Karl Popper in his 1945 book Open Society and Its Enemies. Popper's work deeply influenced George Soros, and it is upon the concept of an open society that Mr. Soros bases his philanthropic activity."

Now, I believe, we have the Square One filled.

Lev"

***Philip Henika - 11:02am Feb 26, 2000 (#31 of 31)

'Fellows OSIs - On the other hand and also residing in "Square One" are the existances of Closed Societies - Closed Societies which I believe to have flourished as a result of the Cold War. In my opinion, the Cold War will truly end when the Global Citizens of the World, if there is such a thing as a Global Citizen, declare what George Soros and this forum aspires to - an Open Society; a Global Democracy in contrast to Global Anarchy. The Bilderberg Society is an example of a Closed Society. The 100 or so Bilderbergs that have met in secret for the last 47 years are characterized by the following 'Bilderberg' mindset. They are internationally represented. They are wealthy. They are elitist. They are arrogant. The Bilderberg Meetings are characterized by: (a) a participant list which is not volunteered to the Global Citizenry; (b) a location which is not volunteered to the Global Citizenry; (c) security arrangements and security costs which are not volunteered to the Global Citizenry; (d) representation which is not volunteered to the Global Citizenry; (e) media scrutiny which is not volunteered to the Global Citizenry; and (f) a secret agenda which is not volunteered to the Global Citizenry. If the Bilderberg Society has something to offer in the way of solutions to global issues then why not end the Bilderberg Secrecy and come forth with these solutions in an Open Society. Frankly, George Soros is an enigma to me as he is both a participant in Bilderberg Meetings and Bilderberg policy and an advocate of an Open Society at this site ( http://soros.org/osi.html ). Believe me, fellow OSI'ers, Global Anarchy precedes a Global Democracy in recent historical precedent and in the real World. We need to become a unified Global Citizenry, not by revolution, but, by means of a proactive peace process which ends secrecy and flourishes in an Open Society; a peace process which is the demand of a Global Citizenry. I will subsequently expand on this peace process; a lasting peace of Nations.

--- Philip Henika'