Propose new functionalities for Decidim software
#DecidimRoadmap Designing Decidim together
I recently received a comment in my Decidim installation guide asking if the adoption of the Social Contract was mandatory to install Decidim.
Please see all the discussion here to understand the context (I encourage everybody to read the thread):
https://github.com/Platoniq/decidim-install/issues/30
As a summary:
I said that the only legal constraint is the AGPL license and the Social Contract is about being part of the Decidim community.
However, it seems that the social contract itself does not clarify this aspect and he proposes to change that.
QUOTING:
I suggest replacing this sentence from the Social Contract
"The use and development of the Decidim platform by an institution or social group of any kind involves the full and integral acceptance of, and commitment to, this social-contract."
by this one:
The Decidim software is covered by the AGPL license. [You can use it, modify it and redistribute derived versions of it you respect the AGPL license.] Contributions to the Decidim software are moderated by the Decidim association. You are welcome to take part of our association if you accept our Social Contract. Similarily, using the decidim.org platform requires you to respect our Social Contract.
END OF QUOTE
I am not sure if this should be exactly the change needed but I agree with the spirit. I would be nice to hear everybody's opinion on this matter.
The development of this proposal has finished
This debate has reached a consensual conclusion (see thread of comments). Changes applied in: https://decidim.org/faqs/
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Conversation with Carol Romero
Hi, in order to close this debate and move forward, do we all agree to make these changes?
In the FAQs:
What does it mean that Decidim is for free, free and open source?
Decidim is a platform for citizen participation made by people and for people. Its source code is open and can be inspected, modified, and enhanced by anyone. The Decidim software is covered by the AGPL license. That means that you can use it, modify it and redistribute derived versions of it as long as you respect the AGPL license.
What is the Social Contract?
That's how we call our Code of Democratic Guarantees and Democratic Collaboration. Although Decidim is free software and you can use it any way you want, contributions to the code are moderated by the Decidim association. You can be part of our association if you accept our Social Contract. In the same way, to be part of the platform decidim.org requires you to respect our Social Contract.
(1/2)
And rephrasing the preamble of Social Contract as follows:
"By signing this Social Contract, any individual, institution or social group of any kind, commits to fulfill the principles established here when using, developing and participating in the community of Decidim".
(2/2)
Hi @carol, thanks for summarizing.
I agree with what you comment. Just one note.
I think that the statutes are reflected as you say, but only at the level of legal persons (I understand that we are now talking about organizations) but not at the level of people (article 36). I believe that if we modify this phrase, it should be consistent with the statutes (perhaps a (c) should be added, making the signing of the social contract a requirement. For example: by means of a declaration). At the same time, I understand that it will be the Democratic Guarantees Committee who establishes whether or not to comply with the social contract. On the other hand, we have the verification committee. Should it be removed?
I agree with the changes. It clarifies the difference between the software and the social contract which is the controversial issue here.
@paarals I think this two concepts are independents of the association. As association we will embrace the social contract as a guide but we will have our own rules and articles.
Hi @paarals and @microstudi, thanks for the feedback.
I was just about to suggest, in the same line that Iván comments, that as now it's mainly a question of clarifying in decidim.org the difference between the AGPL license and the social contract, we could simply leave the wording like this:
That's how we call our Code of Democratic Guarantees and Democratic Collaboration. All members of the community must endorse the Social Contract.
And remove any reference to the Association to avoid further confusion for now.
When we have more clarity on who can be part of the Association and how, we will incorporate it into the web, but for now is a priority to clarify the confusion with the licenses.
Nice! Thanks @carol and @microstudi
👍 let's do it!
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