Radiolab produces superb podcasts. "Tweak the Vote" is a detailed but reasonably concise study of ranked choice voting.
The first part of the podcast discusses a recent survey in which many - especially younger - Americans indicated that it is not of major importance to them to live in a democracy, and many of them would prefer a "strong leader who does not have to bother with Congress or elections (!).
The conversation then segues to a consideration of ranked choice voting as a more appealing (and more representative) voting system.
This system has been partially implemented in Minnesota and Maine. What surprised me is the degree to which implementation of this system instantly cuts down on the viciousness of negative campaigning (because candidates want to be second- or third-choices for their non-base.)
The transcript is here, but it's difficult to speed-read.
Addendum:
Found this cartoon today explaining voting in Australia -
Some discussion at the via.
"...in which many - especially younger - Americans indicated that it is not of major importance to them to live in a democracy, and many of them would prefer a "strong leader who does not have to bother with Congress or elections"
ReplyDelete(!) indeed. Although I wish I could say I was surprised. This tracks perfectly with history; democracies and republics inevitably turn to empire, mostly due to the well known cliché that power corrupts.
We are very likely already in the final stages of the USA as we know it, and I honestly predict the likelihood of an imperial or otherwise totalitarian government within the next 20 years, unless rather radical changes are made, and quickly.
Many of you will say I'm wrong. I sincerely hope so.
Here's a video explaining how this works: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8XOZJkozfI
ReplyDeleteAnd there's follow-up videos in the same channel.