structural changes in democracy

I am seeking to imagine a way of doing democracy in which the authority moves from the bottom up, rather than the top down. Perhaps this story I wrote will help explain what I am envisioning.
With all my heart, Chrysalis

The autumnal equinox was coming. You could just feel the excitement in the air. Children ran about in anticipation of seeing friends again, freed for a week from their usual chores and lessons. Farmers and carpenters set aside their tools, housekeepers packed up provisions and prepared the homes for an absence. Everywhere the factories and stores stopped all activity and the people poured forth. It was council time.
The tents were waiting at the park. In one tent a long table was piled with the dishes of food folks had brought for the potluck, In another the children ruled, the younger ones in the care of the preteens. The council tent was huge, lovingly decorated, filled with air and light.
People carried in their chairs and blankets, and found a good spot under the big top, making sure to leave the center open. The center, the place where the heartbeat of the community would be found.
It was time to begin. The children joined their families and everyone grew silent. An elder stood and walked to the center carrying a shining orb. Holding it above her head, she turned, looking at all the assembled crowd. "This orb will be the token this year, Let us speak with open hearts and clear minds. Please remember to address the center. Today we will uncover the issues we must discuss. May we find our common heart". She laid the orb gently upon the grass, and returned to her seat.
People sat thoughtfully for a few minutes. Flies buzzed, a breeze stirred the tent ribbons. The kids grew restless, departing for the fun of each others' company outside the serious atmosphere of the council tent. Eventually a man stood and walked to pick up the orb. He examined it slowly, and then he spoke. "I am a farmer. I am concerned about how to be certain there will be water for crops in case of drought. Many more people depend on the same water source this year and they also depend on the produce for food. We should discuss this and plan ahead. He lay down the orb. A woman approached the center to lift the orb. "I am a teacher. Our school has some repairs that are needed, and we have more students than before. We sometimes have difficulty giving each child sufficient attention to keep them stimulated to learn. We seek solutions to these problems". Another stood to say they had learned of some communites in the south who had suffered a bad drought and were in need of famine relief.
One after another people rose to describe their concerns to the community until no one else approached the center. The elder rose from her seat and retrieved the orb. " Is there anything else?" when nobody stepped forward she said "Good then, let's eat!"
There was a loud chatter filled with laughter as folks greeted one another and caught up with old aquaintances. People made new friends in the food line and introduced them to young and elders alike. Somewhere a banjo began to jangle, followed by a drum, harmonica and lively bass fiddle. Everybody ate and danced and relaxed for a couple hours before returning to serious work in the tent. The afternoon was spent on a second round to create the local agenda. The next morning representatives from the regional council spoke of what was happening in the larger area, and described the questions they had sought answers to, so the community could speak to answer them also.
Over the following week each of the chosen issues was subject to the council circle process. Each time people spoke, suggesting solutions until nothing was left to say. When the concerns and objections and suggestions of everyone had been aired, the solution had become apparent. When the final day of council week arrived the decisions of the community were read out for final approval. By this time all concerned had made their input so it was mostly a ceremony. Then the people chose someone to attend the regional councils to speak for them . One man, and one woman. Their home and work responsibilities would be forgiven while they were away. They had heard everyone speak, and so knew their community's heart.
By the end of council everyone was relieved to go back to their everyday lives, work and homes. They went with the knowing they had given the best of their hearts and minds to one another to create a community and a nation they loved to live within. With the knowing that when next Autumn Equinox arrived it would be blessed council time again.