Ten Political Commandments: Citizens to the State
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About this book
What if the people could write commandments to their leaders? What if democracy was more than a vote every few years?
In this bold and visionary manifesto, systems scientist and social innovator Yiannis Laouris dares to flip the script—challenging citizens to reclaim their power and rethink the relationship between society and state. Born from decades of dialogue with citizens and enriched by lessons from ancient Athens to modern systemic science, 10 Commandments: Citizens to the State outlines a new moral and civic code for democratic governance in crisis.
Each “commandment” addresses a fundamental flaw in modern systems of government—from the ethical failures of leadership and the misuse of power, to the erosion of transparency, accountability, and public trust. But this book is not a complaint—it is a call to action. Drawing on structured democratic dialogue, Laouris proposes concrete pathways to redesign governance around participation, wisdom, and justice.
Accessible, impassioned, and deeply relevant in an era of political distrust, 10 Commandments offers both diagnosis and direction. Whether you're a reformer, a citizen, or a policymaker, this book will sharpen your awareness—and challenge you to imagine a better future.
This book is for:
Citizens frustrated with political corruption and inertia Educators, activists, and reformers working on democratic renewal Thinkers and doers exploring participatory governance and systems change Anyone searching for practical ideals grounded in deep ethical principles Let these ten commandments inspire a new civic ethos—where leaders are accountable, citizens are empowered, and democracy is reborn through collective intelligence.
About the author
Yiannis Laouris is a medical doctor, neurophysiologist, systems scientist, and peace entrepreneur based in Cyprus. He studied medicine at Leipzig University during the Cold War, completed a Ph.D. in neurophysiology at the Karl-Ludwig Institute (Leipzig), and earned an MS in systems and industrial engineering at the University of Arizona. Trained in Germany and the US, Laouris became known in the late 1990s for his innovative tech4peace.org project, which helped bridge communication divides in conflict settings. He chairs Future Worlds Center, serves as CEO and Lead Scientist, and holds leadership roles in several innovation and peace-focused organizations, including the Institute for 21st Century Agoras and the International Society for the Systems Sciences. A long-standing member of the Conflict Resolution Trainers Group, he has trained thousands in structured dialogue and conflict resolution and remains active in the bi-communal peace movement advocating for the reunification of Cyprus.
Laouris has significantly advanced the science of Structured Dialogic Design and is credited with discovering the Law of Requisite Action. His team works closely with Aleco Christakis, a pioneer in the field, applying these methods to peace-building efforts in Cyprus, the Middle East, and pan-European networks. In the early 1990s, he co-launched CYBER KIDS, a groundbreaking initiative introducing IT to young children, reaching nearly 15% of Cyprus’s population and expanding to seven countries. His contributions have been widely recognized, including the 1998 Industrialists and Employers Federation First Award for Creativity and Innovation and the 2008 Award of the Hellenic Society for Systemic Studies.
In addition to his peace and innovation work, Laouris has a strong academic record, having published over 50 peer-reviewed papers, contributed chapters to about 20 books, and presented more than 130 conference papers. Early in his career, working with leading cyberneticians and systems physiologists, he applied digital signal processing to study neural transmission properties and muscle function, making important contributions to neuroscience.
Selected publications of Yiannis Laouris are available at: