Crowdsourcing works for Wikipedia and open source software because there are compatible elements of unambiguous truth and scratch-your-own-itch. The areas of la

Crowdsourcing works for Wikipedia and open source software because there are compatible elements of unambiguous truth and scratch-your-own-itch. The areas of lawmaking where this is true are few, so this won't work. Should a shoplifter have his hand chopped off, be caned, be jailed, get community service or not be punished at all? People are going to disagree with each other on this and most other issues and ultimately nobody is going to get the solution they feel is the best for everything. Democracy is not designed to creating optimal societies, it's designed to make sure we can still live together peacefully despite disagreeing.