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The fact that you can today use this first demo implementation of Civil democracy is due to six colleagues who over more then two years with me to turn the idea into reality. On borrowing from my life insurance and with a kickstarter crowdfunding, I had secured some funding and added some personal resources, but that was all. Luckily, Wali Hassan (left), the CEO of Ropstam, Inc., in Toronto, Islamabad, and Delhi, saw the great potential of the idea and agreed to a fixed-sum project within the bounds of the small resources I had been able to gather, and his colleagues joined the project, to build a first working Civil democracy demo on the base of WordPress, both to keep cost down and to easily integrate my existing blog.
I have to say that on the outset we all completely underestimated how much this project was different from all the other hundreds of WordPress projects Ropstam is working on in their daily work. Most software projects take longer than expected, but not many grow from two months to two years! That was often my fault. Among the things we had hugely underestimated was the amount of feedback I would have to give. As an former hermit ivory tower academic and still involved incontinuing to write papers to communicate the idea, although being used to break down things for my students, I often needed a lot of time to load all what had been done into my brain. I am endlessly greatful that finally the journey of creating this initial Civil Democracy platform has been completed through the dedication, vision, and relentless effort of these six exceptional individuals: Dinesh Subramani, Wali Hassan, Suhail Ahmad, Moaz Ellahi, Arslan Arshad, and Muqsit Aziz. Each of them played a pivotal role in turning the ambitious vision of Civil Democracy into reality.
Dinesh Subramani: The Creative Force
Dinesh Subramani, an Indian designer, was the creative genius who transformed the initial wireframes into an eye-pleasing and user-friendly interface. His ability to translate abstract concepts into tangible designs was crucial in ensuring that the platform was not just functional but also intuitive and accessible to users. Dinesh’s designs served as the foundation upon which the entire platform was built, providing a clear, visual representation of the Civil Democracy concept. A wholehearted promotion: If you want to work with Dinesh, visit his accounts. (https://dribbble.com/DineshMessi, https://www.behance.net/dineshmessi1 and https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~01b7ba6bfc0029c2b6; unfortunately this WordPress theme doesn’t allow for links in posts.)
Wali Hassan: The Visionary Entrepreneur
Wali Hassan, based in Toronto, is the owner and CEO of Ropstam. He saw the potential of Civil Democracy for the non-Western world and agreed to a fixed-price contract for the project’s development. Although we both vastly underestimated the project’s complexity, Wali remained committed through all the time. His perseverance and willingness to see the project through, despite numerous challenges, were instrumental in sustaining momentum when things seemed overwhelming. His belief in the Civil Democracy model as a tool for global change was a driving force that kept the team motivated.
Suhail Ahmad: The Unwavering Project Manager
Suhail Ahmad, the senior developer and project manager, grew with the project. Initially a backend developer, Suhail took on the role of project manager as the complexity of the platform increased. He was the linchpin in communication, ensuring that all team members were aligned and that the project stayed on course. The endless Slack communications and Zoom calls I had with him are a testament to his dedication. Suhail was always friendly, motivated, and succinct, keeping the team’s spirit high and focused on the goal.
Moaz Ellahi: The Frontend Wizard
Turning Dinesh’s Figma designs into a fully functioning frontend was no small feat. Moaz Ellahi, the frontend developer, did this with a congenial spirit and an expert touch. His ability to bring designs to life in a way that was both beautiful and functional was key to making the platform user-friendly. Moaz’s work ensured that the platform was not just a theoretical construct but a practical tool that people could use to engage in meaningful democratic processes.
Arslan Arshad: The Backend Dynamo
When the project was at a crossroads, with complexity overwhelming the team, Arslan Arshad brought new energy and drive. As a backend developer, he tackled the most challenging technical problems, providing innovative solutions that allowed the platform to progress when it seemed stalled. His technical acumen and problem-solving skills were crucial in overcoming some of the most significant obstacles the team faced.
Muqsit Aziz: The Final Puzzle Solver
As the project neared its conclusion, there were still numerous issues to resolve. Muqsit Aziz stepped in with the energy and expertise needed to clear many of the last remaining problems. Working closely with Suhail, Muqsit was instrumental in ensuring that the platform was not just finished, but polished and ready for launch. His contributions in the final stages of development were critical in bringing the project to a successful close.
If you want to work with Wali, Suhail, Moaz, Arslan, and Muqsit, just go to https://www.ropstam.com/. Working with all six is highly recommended!
The Result: A Platform with Global Potential
The Civil Democracy platform aims to cure a long-time overlooked Eurocentrism and Western backwardness of traditional democracy concepts, making the promise of democracy real for everyone in the world. By allowing individuals to entrust their decision-making to civil society actors they believe in, or to participate directly, the platform provides a way for everyone to have an effective say in creating the common good.
The platform’s journey from concept to reality is a testament to what a dedicated team can achieve, even in the face of unforeseen challenges. It stands as a beacon of hope for the future of democracy, proving that with the right people and a shared vision, anything is possible. The six heroes who built this platform have not just created a tool; they have laid the foundation for a new form of global democratic engagement.
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