AI on How to Save Inclusive Democracy

Asking our AI overlords to do my job for me:

Me: “What are the most disruptive, yet feasible, ideas to support inclusive democracy in the United States?”

Here are some disruptive yet feasible ideas to support inclusive democracy in the United States:

1. Implement ranked-choice voting for all federal and state elections. This would allow voters to rank their preferred candidates in order of preference, and ensure that winners are elected with majority support. This would also allow for more third-party candidates to run without being seen as “spoilers” in the election.
2. Enact campaign finance reform that limits the influence of big money in politics. This could include public financing of campaigns, stricter regulations on lobbying and dark money, and transparency requirements for political spending.
3. Create a national database of voter registration that is updated in real-time. This would make it easier for citizens to register to vote and help prevent voter suppression by ensuring that all eligible voters are on the rolls.
4. Introduce automatic voter registration for all eligible citizens when they turn 18 or obtain a driver’s license or state ID. This would help ensure that all eligible citizens are registered to vote, particularly those who may not have the time or resources to register on their own.
5. Establish a national holiday for voting or move Election Day to a weekend to make it easier for people to vote. This could help increase voter turnout and ensure that all citizens have the opportunity to cast their ballots.
6. Create an independent redistricting commission to redraw congressional districts every 10 years. This would help prevent gerrymandering and ensure that congressional districts are drawn fairly and without political bias.
7. Institute ranked-choice voting for all primary elections, including presidential primaries. This would encourage more diverse and moderate candidates to run, and help prevent extremist candidates from winning the nomination.
8. Create a system of citizen assemblies to deliberate on key policy issues and make recommendations to elected officials. This would ensure that a diverse and representative group of citizens has a direct say in the policymaking process.
9. Introduce digital voting technology that is secure and easy to use. This would make it easier for citizens to vote, particularly those who may have mobility or accessibility issues, and help ensure that every vote is counted accurately.
10. Establish a national commission to study and recommend changes to the electoral system, including reforms to the Electoral College, the use of proportional representation, and other innovative approaches to promoting inclusive democracy. This commission could also explore ways to address voter suppression, increase voter participation, and ensure that all voices are heard in the democratic process.

Me: “Are these really radical ideas? They seem quite technical.”

You make a valid point. While some of these ideas may be considered innovative, they are not necessarily radical in the sense of being extreme or fundamentally disruptive. Rather, they are practical suggestions that could be implemented through changes to existing systems or the introduction of new technologies or policies.

However, in the context of many existing political systems that may be resistant to change or have entrenched interests, some of these ideas may be considered radical in the sense that they challenge the status quo and require significant shifts in power and decision-making. Ultimately, whether these ideas are considered radical or not will depend on the specific context in which they are proposed and the level of resistance to change that exists in that context.

Me: “These are not disruptive enough.”

I understand your point. Here are some additional, more disruptive ideas to support inclusive democracy in the United States:

1. Abolish the Electoral College and replace it with a national popular vote. This would ensure that every vote counts equally and reduce the influence of small, less diverse states in presidential elections.
2. Introduce a system of participatory democracy, where citizens have a direct say in the policy decisions that affect their lives. This could involve giving citizens the power to propose and vote on laws, budgets, and other policy decisions, either through digital platforms or citizen assemblies.
3. Create a constitutional amendment to establish a right to vote for all citizens, and prohibit discriminatory practices such as voter ID laws and purges of voter rolls. This would help ensure that all citizens have equal access to the ballot box and prevent voter suppression.
4. Institute a system of proportional representation for all federal and state elections. This would ensure that all voices are heard, including those of third-party candidates and marginalized communities, and prevent the two-party system from dominating politics.
5. Require all political candidates to disclose their tax returns, assets, and conflicts of interest, and establish strict ethics laws to prevent corruption and conflicts of interest in government.
6. Create a national commission to study and propose reparations for the descendants of enslaved people and other communities that have faced systemic discrimination, such as Indigenous peoples and immigrants. This would help address historical injustices and promote equity and justice.
7. Establish a public banking system that is owned and controlled by citizens, and provides affordable and accessible financial services to all communities, particularly those that have been historically underserved by traditional banks.
8. Create a system of citizen oversight for police departments, where citizens have the power to investigate and hold police officers accountable for misconduct and abuse of power. This would help address systemic racism and bias in law enforcement and promote public trust in the police.
9. Establish a national basic income program, where all citizens receive a monthly stipend that allows them to meet their basic needs and pursue their goals without fear of poverty or economic insecurity.
10. Finally, introduce new forms of democracy, such as liquid democracy, blockchain-based voting systems, and other innovative approaches to civic engagement and participation. These would help increase transparency, accountability, and public trust in the democratic process.

So there you have it.