4 ms·

I think a bicameral system with a House of Representatives (with a much larger body, with the number of constituents per representative fixed) and the a other b

I think a bicameral system with a House of Representatives (with a much larger body, with the number of constituents per representative fixed) and the a other body (we could even still call it the Senate for continuity and familiarity) being selected by sortition the way you describe would work well, and be a good transition step

candiddevmike 4y ago
I don't think there is a benefit to any kind of bicameral system, regardless of how it is setup. A large unicameral system allows for more direct representation and should limit the influence of money when combined with term limits. "Tyranny of the majority" seems like more of a problem for the rich and powerful, in my experience.
- ncallaway 4y ago
  “Tyranny of the majority” I dunno, I can definitely think of some times in our history when it impacted the poorest people. I think there’s something very useful in the elections for representatives, in terms of it being an official poll of the people. I think sortition is a really interesting concept and could work well, but I think it won’t work if it’s the only legislative body. I would be pretty starkly against that, but I would support reforms that made it the second legislative body. If you really want a unicameral system as your top priority, I’d support a proportional representation House of Representatives.
  - christkv 4y ago
    Proportional does not work. Most European parliaments are proportional and has the same dysfunctions as the us system. The root is always the parties. They have to go.
    - ncallaway 4y ago
      > The root is always the parties. They have to go. I don't really think sortition itself would kill the parties. It does seem like a good way to weaken them, but...I suspect they would find a way to survive. I genuinely don't know of how to do away with political parties. Is there a good example of a democratic system (or a governance by the people) that doesn't have political parties?

candiddevmike 4y ago

I don't think there is a benefit to any kind of bicameral system, regardless of how it is setup. A large unicameral system allows for more direct representation and should limit the influence of money when combined with term limits. "Tyranny of the majority" seems like more of a problem for the rich and powerful, in my experience.

ncallaway 4y ago
“Tyranny of the majority” I dunno, I can definitely think of some times in our history when it impacted the poorest people. I think there’s something very useful in the elections for representatives, in terms of it being an official poll of the people. I think sortition is a really interesting concept and could work well, but I think it won’t work if it’s the only legislative body. I would be pretty starkly against that, but I would support reforms that made it the second legislative body. If you really want a unicameral system as your top priority, I’d support a proportional representation House of Representatives.
- christkv 4y ago
  Proportional does not work. Most European parliaments are proportional and has the same dysfunctions as the us system. The root is always the parties. They have to go.
  - ncallaway 4y ago
    > The root is always the parties. They have to go. I don't really think sortition itself would kill the parties. It does seem like a good way to weaken them, but...I suspect they would find a way to survive. I genuinely don't know of how to do away with political parties. Is there a good example of a democratic system (or a governance by the people) that doesn't have political parties?