General / Off-Topic Alternative system of government

[Commander Thane]

This is my first proper venture into off-topic, so be gentle.

I've been wondering what we could do in the UK to fix our worthless mess of a political system and Babylon 5 has given me an idea. I know I'm on dodgy ground for suggesting that we should base our politics on that of a science-fiction show but...

I wonder what would happen if we changed our government system to that of the Minbari? You would have a ruling cabinet of 9 members: Three from a "proper" right-wing, three from a "proper" left wing and three "true" liberals. Every issue would be balanced by the view of these three group and decisions would be taken based on a majority of the nine.

The actual nine candidates would still be subject to a democratic process of election, within each party. Every person in the country would only vote for an individual within their own political belief system, instead of fighting to have their political stance represent over those of their neighbour. We could have balance in all things, everybody's views would get a platform and we would move the political battleground to individual issues, rather than a constant battle to win the microphone for the next four years.

You would do away with arguing over Liberal, Labour and Tory because you would always have all three in power. That seems to me a better approach than making your Socialists more conservative and your Tories more liberal just to win the votes of the other side?

 

[cassius]

Politics isn't exactly one of my strong suits, but i do like the idea. Although (imho) a cabinet of 9 could still have the same issues as we see in parliment today, just on a smaller scale... people simply howling and heckling until its their turn to speak.

I like your idea of people voting specifically for the individual that best represented their political beliefs. Sounds better than putting our faith in local councillors, who then merge with the amorphous blob of politicians and then told by their party leader how to vote in the Commons (i know they don't all do that though), rather than the ideals we originally wanted them to put forward.

I think there are always going to be better, more idealistic, ways of governance. No-one knows if they'll work until practiced. I do genuinely believe though, that we're reaching a point where technology can offer each and every individual the ability to give their opinion on a subject. If a decision needs to be made, it can be put to the people to decide. The only problem with that is the a good percentage of voters don't care enough to vote, or don't understand what their voting for (myself included! and perhaps thats because of problems with our current system)

We live for the one, we die for the one.

p.s. my first off-topic/political post as well, and i know it can get a few pulses racing! Be gentle with me too!

 

[Darren Grey]

Well, the biggest issue I have with that is that you so narrowly pigeon hole a spectrum of political beliefs. When it comes to things like energy, the environment, equal rights, defense, etc, who's to say what is left or right or central? "Central" in particular shifts over time. See in particular this fascinating view of how the American Congress has changed over time: http://xkcd.com/1127/

However, even if all of politics could be so easily classified, such a split government wouldn't work well in my view. In particular it gives the centrists the most power, which is bound to lead to corruption, backroom deals and all the usual political nastiness. There could be no long term party policies, and the political process would get paralysed by infighting and changing moods. One thing that's needed in politics is stability. If the government can change its mind on policy at any time then it leads to economic uncertainty and the inability for business to make long term investments. Even on the public side it strangles long term strategy. Usually a party takes power with a mandate. The current UK coalition made sure to put a joint mandate together to make sure that there could be long term confidence in their decisions.

I'm not sure what would be a better form of government, mind. I think technically the best model is benevolent dictator, but it's rare to find the right person for the job. The people that want it always seem to be unsuitable...

 

[Cody]

... the best model is benevolent dictator, but it's rare to find the right person for the job. The people that want it always seem to be unsuitable...

Ain't that the truth!

 

[Nicodemus]

I've always liked the political ideal that to govern the people you first must have served the people. Robert A Heinlein touched upon it briefly in his book Starship Troopers where to become a citizen and be allowed to vote/become a member of government you had to serve in the military for a set period of time.

It has it's drawbacks and could be expanded upon to be more inclusive but in theory it has some merits.

 

[bitrogue]

I think technically the best model is benevolent dictator, but it's rare to find the right person for the job. The people that want it always seem to be unsuitable...

I always thought that Havelock Vetinari, Patrician of Ankh Morpork (Terry Pratchetts Discworld, for the uninitiated) had a pretty good system for administration. Technically he's a dictator, but he's actually more interested in keeping things running smoothly than being a despotic ruler. I kinda thought this concept might be a more efficient way of running things.

 

[Jason S]

In the channel Islands they do not really have party politics but you can vote particular people in or out depending on the parish you live in and then these people govern in committee style.

This system avoids swing policies every 4 years and perhaps less short term decisions but can lack some accountability.

In Switzerland everyone votes on everything all the time. The people even voted to ban tips in restaurants i heard. I see that as real democracy although it helps to have a sensible and educated public like the Swiss generally are. I am a little bias though as I have Swiss as well as British nationality.