George Monbiot's avatar

George Monbiot

@georgemonbiot.bsky.social

In some ways, elections are the opposite of democracy. But these two entirely different concepts have been hopelessly confused. The result? Oligarchic rule continues, regardless of which party wins. It's time to explore better ways.
My column.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

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Snatcher of Castles from the Hands of Miscreants's avatar Snatcher of Castles from the Hands of Miscreants @snatcherofcastles.bsky.social
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Excellent article. As a primary teacher, I can see a way to introduce the concept of sortition through e.g. choosing the members of the school council via lottery. Knowledge and experience of these concepts at a young age can only be a good thing.

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Mity Cheese's avatar Mity Cheese @mitycheese.bsky.social
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Hélène Landemore has also written about this in her book Open Democracy. I've been talking up the idea ever since I read it.

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HpR 's avatar HpR @kairos.social
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Please keep on!

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Multiliterally's avatar Multiliterally @multiliterally.bsky.social
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Thanks for the article, a reminder both of our duty and the need to think clearly about what exactly is happening here. I also enjoyed David Van Reybrouck's 2013 book "Against Elections", but my 2016 edition, annoyingly, has the picture of a certain former US President on the cover

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The Rt Hon Lady Kidman's avatar The Rt Hon Lady Kidman @nicolekidmansnose.bsky.social
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Love George Monbiot's writing but this is one can surely be counted among one of his weakest ideas. Reformism for the sake of reform doesn't actually address any of the issues he names at the begining of the column such as "nuclear war".

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