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Any thoughts on Sortition? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sortition https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sortition

by a_w 4y ago

HybridCurve 4y ago
It's been used fairly successfully for deliberative minipublics. I don't think it is the best method for replacing elected officials but it would be a good way to have direct representation if they participate at the same level as legislators. Being able to select adequately competent participants can be a challenge depending on your source pool, and some point there would need to be a fair process, resistant to manipulation or gaming, in order to cull less qualified individuals. There also exists problems with this method in highly polarized political environments, particular those in which exists two entirely separate information ecosystems such as the US.
- a_w 4y ago
  Thanks for the reply! I have thought quite a bit about this over the past few of years, and I think it is probably the best method for replacing elected officials at least up to the senate level. "Being able to select adequately competent participants can be a challenge depending on your source pool, and some point there would need to be a fair process, resistant to manipulation or gaming, in order to cull less qualified individuals." I agree that it will initially be a challenge to find 'competent participants', but I think this can be solved by introducing/adding courses at the high-school level that the community/citizens believe are essential (I am thinking econ, history, the constitution, etc.) I also agree that fairness is another an important issue - care must be taken to ensure that whatever 'competence' criteria are used don't turn into another poll-tax. "There also exists problems with this method in highly polarized political environments, particular those in which exists two entirely separate information ecosystems such as the US." Another excellent point. But I think we all have family members and friends who hold views that are the complete opposite of our own, or we may view are extreme, but we also find other issues we agree on and find ways to work/live together. I think if a congressperson knows that they don't have to raise money or worry about a primary challenge, then I believe they will find ways to work with people from a different party, or colleagues who are independents. The separate information systems will still be there, but I don't believe their influence on legislators will be at the level it is now.

Any thoughts on Sortition? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sortition https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sortition

by a_w 4y ago

Any thoughts on Sortition? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sortition https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sortition

It's been used fairly successfully for deliberative minipublics. I don't think it is the best method for replacing elected officials but it would be a good way to have direct representation if they participate at the same level as legislators. Being able to select adequately competent participants can be a challenge depending on your source pool, and some point there would need to be a fair process, resistant to manipulation or gaming, in order to cull less qualified individuals. There also exists problems with this method in highly polarized political environments, particular those in which exists two entirely separate information ecosystems such as the US.

a_w 4y ago
Thanks for the reply! I have thought quite a bit about this over the past few of years, and I think it is probably the best method for replacing elected officials at least up to the senate level. "Being able to select adequately competent participants can be a challenge depending on your source pool, and some point there would need to be a fair process, resistant to manipulation or gaming, in order to cull less qualified individuals." I agree that it will initially be a challenge to find 'competent participants', but I think this can be solved by introducing/adding courses at the high-school level that the community/citizens believe are essential (I am thinking econ, history, the constitution, etc.) I also agree that fairness is another an important issue - care must be taken to ensure that whatever 'competence' criteria are used don't turn into another poll-tax. "There also exists problems with this method in highly polarized political environments, particular those in which exists two entirely separate information ecosystems such as the US." Another excellent point. But I think we all have family members and friends who hold views that are the complete opposite of our own, or we may view are extreme, but we also find other issues we agree on and find ways to work/live together. I think if a congressperson knows that they don't have to raise money or worry about a primary challenge, then I believe they will find ways to work with people from a different party, or colleagues who are independents. The separate information systems will still be there, but I don't believe their influence on legislators will be at the level it is now.