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How do you know democratizing decisions results in minimax optimal decisions? I would expect the result to be strongly biased due to societal norms, much less
by AstralStorm 9y ago
How do you know democratizing decisions results in minimax optimal decisions?
I would expect the result to be strongly biased due to societal norms, much less direct manipulation.
Suppose a majority wants strong social programmes and basic income. The tiny problem is the economy is nowhere near big enough to afford it. Satisficing (!) executive branch puts some of the policies starving innovation and education budgets. Causing long term harm and stagnation.
Where is the minimax decision in here? Over what timeframe?
(P.s. I could've as easily picked liberal, fascist, military or conservative example. This one is relatively easy to understand.)
- lliamander 9y agoI should clarify that there were two parts to my answer: first was answering your question "on behalf of" the parent poster. It seemed their position was to "let people vote on it". I was somewhat defending that position, but more just clarifying that democracy wasn't necessarily in conflict with using science to make decisions. The second part of my response was to your framing of "science vs. gut-instinct". My point is that sometimes ignorance is thrust upon us by the complexity of the circumstances. In that case, my point was that decentralized policy making (separate from any notion of voting) was essential to reducing the worst case. In other words, I am not claiming that democratization "results in minimax optimal decisions". I am claiming that decentralized governance structures do "result in minimax optimal decisions". Does that change your question? edit: fixed spelling