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Random selection is necessary to create stable meritocratic institutions

(assemblingamerica.substack.com)
360 points namlem | 2 comments | 14 Jul 25 15:28 UTC | HN request time: 0.001s | source
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retrac ◴[14 Jul 25 16:28 UTC] No.44562032[source]▶
The technical term is sortition. And it is my pet unorthodox political position. The legislature should be replaced with an assembly of citizens picked by lottery.
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gameman144 ◴[14 Jul 25 16:33 UTC] No.44562101[source]▶
This may show that I'm biased, but the idea of a randomized group of citizens making the law of the land scares the heck out of me. There is a non-trivial amount of nuance and compromise that goes in lawmaking.

Now, the idea of electing a few thousand representatives and having sortition determine who is actually selected is something I could feasibly get behind.

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1. TimorousBestie ◴[14 Jul 25 16:42 UTC] No.44562205[source]▶
> Now, the idea of electing a few thousand representatives and having sortition determine who is actually selected is something I could feasibly get behind.

Since the linked article is to a substack called “Assemble America” I feel I should point out that if the apportionment House of Representatives had not been capped at 435 reps, the House would indeed be several thousand strong by now.

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2. Supermancho ◴[15 Jul 25 15:57 UTC] No.44572502[source]▶
Was hubris and greed that set that limit. Can't be self-important if you're one amongst many.