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Its not who you elect that matters. Its how decentralized the system is and how limited the power of the government is that matters. When the amount of power

Its not who you elect that matters. Its how decentralized the system is and how limited the power of the government is that matters. When the amount of power is great and concentrated, those lusting after power work very hard to get it. And they will do what they need to get it. And then use the power to keep it. But when the government is limited and very decentralized, its not going to attract sociopaths as much. In Switzerland, each member of a 7 person council takes a one-year turn presiding. There's a joke about it actually. A tourist is discussing this with a Swiss man he bumped into. After asking many other questions, the tourist finally asks "So who is president this year?" The Swiss man replied "Oh, this year its me."

smokeyj 15y ago
I have a theory that part of Europe's success was due to the fragmented nature of States. Within a small area you have independent nations with their own laws, currency, elections, etc. This represents less single points of failure IMO. I think the early U.S also had a similar model. State's had their own currencies and regulations, with the right to over-rule federal regulations. Now, the US is essentially one state, one currency, and a giant single point of failure. Now the EU and the US are metastasizing in size/power and crushing anything that poses a threat to their authority.
- stretchwithme 15y ago
  Yes. And many of the most successful countries are tiny. And leaders accountable. Singapore and Switzerland spring to mind. Singapore isn't even a democracy, but it is very easy to leave, making it accountable, at least economically. Back when we all lived in tribes, if a leader failed, people simply left the tribe. We need to be able to do virtually the same thing. If we could remove our property from a city when corruption becomes more than membership is worth. That would impose some discipline. And cities should be able to leave. And, predictably, Switzerland already has that. People can leave a canton to join a neighboring one or start their own. And it rarely happens. The possibility is a deterrent.
- stretchwithme 15y ago
  We have this thing in California where a large city can basically harass smaller ones they wish to take over. San Jose recently extracted millions from the city of Campbell which is within its borders to avoid being taken over. We actually need the opposite thing happening. We need MORE choice about how we choose to live, not more monopolies.

smokeyj 15y ago

I have a theory that part of Europe's success was due to the fragmented nature of States. Within a small area you have independent nations with their own laws, currency, elections, etc. This represents less single points of failure IMO. I think the early U.S also had a similar model. State's had their own currencies and regulations, with the right to over-rule federal regulations. Now, the US is essentially one state, one currency, and a giant single point of failure. Now the EU and the US are metastasizing in size/power and crushing anything that poses a threat to their authority.

stretchwithme 15y ago
Yes. And many of the most successful countries are tiny. And leaders accountable. Singapore and Switzerland spring to mind. Singapore isn't even a democracy, but it is very easy to leave, making it accountable, at least economically. Back when we all lived in tribes, if a leader failed, people simply left the tribe. We need to be able to do virtually the same thing. If we could remove our property from a city when corruption becomes more than membership is worth. That would impose some discipline. And cities should be able to leave. And, predictably, Switzerland already has that. People can leave a canton to join a neighboring one or start their own. And it rarely happens. The possibility is a deterrent.
stretchwithme 15y ago
We have this thing in California where a large city can basically harass smaller ones they wish to take over. San Jose recently extracted millions from the city of Campbell which is within its borders to avoid being taken over. We actually need the opposite thing happening. We need MORE choice about how we choose to live, not more monopolies.