What does an "optimal" democratic system look like to you?

alyaza
2019-08-02T19:32:52Z

this is kind of an offshoot of this thread which is still going, because i'm noticing an interesting pattern in that thread of reform to the system going beyond just the voting age, and i think it's worth examining that in much broader, larger details than just being centered around how people respond to the idea of voting age because democracy is very multi-dimensional. here are a few questions to jump off of; feel free to utilize them or not utilize them as you wish.

(let's also assume that there are no constraints whatsoever, for maximum possibility here. essentially, you get to invent a system that is utilized by people on the spot regardless of how things are currently for them.):

Is this democratic system liberal, like most are (or perhaps illiberal in the service of some greater aim like climate change)?

What variety of democracy is utilized by the system? (there are a lot of these ranging from classic representative democracy to direct democracy to soviet-style council democracy to sortition to more esoteric things like cellular, grassroots, and liquid democracy. see wikipedia for more)

What voting method (FPTP, IRV, preferential voting, etc. again see wikipedia), is used by the system, if any? Or are things done mostly or largely without voting where possible, as is true in participatory, deliberative and consensus democracies and similar systems?

Are formal political parties allowed in this system?

Is voting in this system compulsory?

Are certain people in this system (criminals, older people, younger people, certain groups or professions of people perhaps even) disenfranchised?

Does the government have a hand in educating people on voting in this system, or is it the civic duty of people instead, or is there some in between, or even neither? What does that education look like?

and, if you'd like to get particularly esoteric or wonky, you might also choose to answer or consider some of these:

Are voters allowed to do things like recall their representatives, or is the will of the people binding for a term?

Does democracy in this system extend to even things like cabinet positions, which in most systems are determined by the head of state?

Does democracy in this system include things like amendments to constitutions?

Comments URL: https://tildes.net/~talk/g7w/what_does_an_optimal_democratic_system_look_like_to_you

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