Against Elections

This is a must-read for anyone concerned about election protection and democracy. It reveals three fundamental flaws in elected representative democracies. Special interests can easily capture them in three ways: (1) by choosing candidates (2) by rigging the electoral process itself and (3) by lobbying, bribing, and blackmailing elected officials after election. A foolproof way to stop this is with the lottery process described in this book, which worked in ancient Greece and has worked now in many places it has been applied today.

I read this essay with great interest as it addresses the rising feelings of discontent with governmental institutions in many democracies, as exemplified by the French Gilets Jaunes, the Brexit vote, the election of populist leaders, etc. In particular, people pushing for change are demanding more participation in the decisions made on their behalf by their elected officials. The author effectively demonstrates that elections were never meant to allow citizens to participate in government administration . After establishing this sobering fact, Mr. Van Reybrouck analyzes and suggests changes to the election process, making the case for deliberative democracy in which common citizens are chosen at random and encouraged to participate in the running and decision making of government affairs. He then submits realistic real-world implementation roadmaps, which is quite uncommon in such essays.A short book but long on practical ideas on how to deal with the perceived ills of democracy as it stands today. I think most people interested in the subject will enjoy the book as much as I did.A couple of comments:First, the author does a good job at itemizing and invalidating the most common objections that have been voiced against the idea of deliberative government. However in my opinion he leaves out the most challenging one: new laws or changes to existing laws are introduced and voted by the very same officials who would have to relinquish some of their authority and privileges. The probability that elected officials vote for changes that force them to share their current hold on power is close to zero. Allowing common citizens to participate in government affairs would also mean more transparency, and that makes it even more unlikely.Secondly, Mr. Van Reybrouck does not mention the new technologies that would help support deliberative government, such as social media networking and blockchain for example. I wish the author will turn his attention and considerable intellect in that direction in a next essay or maybe in a future edition of his book.

It's not hard to see that democracy is in the ropes these days, with elections producing leaders eager to rip it apart for their own benefit. Something is going to give if a solution isn't implemented, and the results for society will certainly be catastrophic.In this very methodically argued and well-documented treatise, the author lays out an exceptional case for what may be the new solution (which is actually a very old solution): sortition, government by drawing lots. The myriad ways such a system could function in tandem with an elected government are explored in depth, and I was left with hope that there was still life left in democracy, that we weren't all doomed to spiral into fascism.We stand at the beginning of a new age, where our old systems are failing us in droves. It's time to reinvent our society to fit the new equality, lest it collapse in on itself. Reybrouck's argument here is timely, well-written, thought through, and urgent. It may be the best hope we have for saving the creaking pillars of government.

I got this book after hearing MP Stella Creasy discuss citizen parliaments. Neither I nor the interviewer could understand what she was recommending and it sounded too strange. But this book made me reconsider as it explained the true problem is elective representative democracy. I had never thought that elections were the problem and that they were optional for democracy. This book reset my thoughts but I’m not yet sure what my actions are. Worth a read.

Read book you stupid election fundamentalists.

A critical book in the struggle to avoid extinction.

Libro provocador y muy bien escrito y desarrollado. Todo el fundamento sobre los problemas de las democracias actuales está muy bien hecho. La pequeñísima porción en que explica cómo llevarlo a cabo, tiene menos importancia, pero el análisis de la situación actual y la potencialidad de elegir por sorteo, están muy bien explicados

A partir da crise da democracia representativa moderna, o autor propõe recuperar um instrumento democrático antigo, usado em Atenas na era clássica, em Veneza e em Florença quando eram prósperas repúblicas: o sorteio de cidadãos para conselhos consultivos, legislativos e de controle do governo. Os argumentos são fortes e interessantes. Acho que o autor tem razão: é algo que deveríamos experimentar. O político profissional não teria espaço neste modelo. Vícios eleitorais seriam eluminados. Leiam e reflitam.

A topic that should be taken seriously and should be discussed. Because it is what we need to save our democracy. Unfortunately to see it adopted in a broad way, it needs the initiative and approval of our elected officials. But that's unlikely to happen: after all, they were elected the old way and are desperate to be re-elected. Change is good but won't come easy .....

Mostra de forma clara e convincente a decadência do atual sistema democrático, porém não se limitando somente às críticas mas mostrando onde estão os erros e apontando eventuais soluções. Recomendo a todos que se interessem por política.