One of the key problems in
this concept is trying to think how it might be modeled so as to be
studied and improved. This program would require an established
culture of political involvement as well as essentially universal
internet and communications access. The first requirement stems from
the need of a high level of active involvement in the political
process. In the current American system the low level of active
political involvement throughout the populace is masked by the fact
that the same number of legislators fill congress regardless of how
few people vote in any given election. Also because elections are
held at least 2 years apart in the immediate run up to and aftermath
of each election there may be a great deal of discussion about the
low percentage of people participating but this fact is quickly
obscured and forgotten by the time the actual work of the Government
is being done. This situation would become immediately obvious once a
more direct democratic process is put in place as the number of votes
cast on each issue would directly reflect the interest and concern in
the population for that issue. This would likely lead to the need for
a floor or minimum number of votes to be cast in order for any issue
to become law, we could not have a small number of people with a high
level of interest being allowed to pass laws effecting the larger
population which might not immediately draw the interest or notice of
the majority at the time of voting.
The second issue of
universal internet access is a more technical/practical hindrance. In
order for this system to work people need access to large amounts of
information as well as the ability to make instant and possibly
frequent changes in the division of their voting power, as well as to
vote for themselves on issues which they have not established a
proxy. Voting periods would need to be open for several days if not
longer because while all people would need to have access to vote at
any given time to expect them all to be able to do it on a regular
basis in a limited window would be overly optimistic. This might also
open the door for the ability of a person to withdraw their proxy
vote after it has been cast should they disagree or feel that they
were mislead. This possibility would need to be closely examined to
determine whether it should be allowed as well as if it is how to do
it and avoid complications and possible corruption.
One possible example of the
effects of direct democracy which might immediately come to mind is
that of the state of California and other municipalities which allow
for ballot initiatives. Generally speaking these examples have not
functioned to bring about the best possible outcomes. California's
current budget problems stem at least in part from the propensity of
the population voting in favor of both spending bills and tax cuts
without proper concern over the balancing of the budget. This is
however a problem of human nature not necessarily limited to direct
forms of democracy. The budget problems in much of the rest of the
country stem from the same cause only with the intermediate step of
elected officials voting for increased spending and tax cuts
simultaneously in the belief that it is the most sure way to gain
favor with the voters needed for reelection. The hope under my plan
would be to encourage more responsible voting behavior through a
closer connection of the voters with the consequences of their
decisions. One other possible benefit would be that the writing of
legislation might be put into the hands of experts whose jobs do not
depend on their suggestions being popular or even enacted. Another
possible outcome, although one which might fairly be seen as overly
optimistic, is that perhaps we will find people more willing to make
sacrifices and hard choices than the elected officials have given
them credit for.
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