4.5. Citizen Representation
Ideas
- Drawing lots is the preferred method of appointing representatives.
- Depending on the position, there are several possibilities: drawing lots from all citizens, drawing lots from volunteer citizens, or election.
- Each method has its advantages and disadvantages!
Citizen Representation
Decision-making power is exercised directly by citizens during votes. However, a 100% direct democracy would be counterproductive.
Indeed, preparatory work is necessary before votes, and some institutions require long-term mandates. Therefore, citizens need to dedicate themselves to these tasks. The same applies to state bodies responsible for implementing decisions.
Finally, too many votes could create a feeling of fatigue and disengage citizens from exercising power.
Software Democracy thus implements a representative system, authorized to vote laws under the cover of a systematic citizen's right of appeal. Several procedures are possible to mandate these representatives.
Drawing lots
Whenever possible, drawing lots will be used to appoint representatives. This lottery can be done in two ways.
Drawing lots from all citizens.
This has the advantage of giving everyone a chance to serve society and to highlight representatives who might never have dared to propose themselves.
This method is particularly suitable for members of Citizen Oversight Councils and popular juries. Indeed, these two institutions tend to give their members a strong sense of power; it is therefore necessary to avoid choosing them from among volunteers, who are by definition attracted to this power!
Drawing lots from volunteer citizens
This has the advantage of ensuring the motivation of representatives, especially for long missions (typically 4 years). It is about being ready to change one's life to commit to serving the state!
This method will be more suitable for functions where the sense of service prevails, typically legislative functions or Study Commissions. Moreover, although these functions have significant power, it can be constantly challenged by citizens and is permanently under the control of Oversight Councils.
Attractiveness and limitations
In both cases, Software Democracy provides the randomly selected representative with all the necessary means to carry out their mandate in good conditions: motivating remuneration, travel expenses, assistance in resuming activity at the end of the mandate...
A randomly selected representative can never hold two mandates in the same position. However, they can hold another mandate in a different position, through a new lottery.
Election
If Software Democracy favors drawing lots, the election can sometimes be relevant; for example, to designate a spokesperson within a group. Citizens (direct election) or Council members (indirect election) are then asked to appoint representatives.
In all cases, an elected representative can only hold one mandate in their position.