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Social Dilemmas No.64

I wonder if direct democracy would work? That is everyone votes for everything and we decide every rule and government policy based on how the people voted. Would it bring the worst of us or the best? Or create more social and geographical bubbles with radically different ehtoses?

I feel it might be a bit like snowboarding; hard to get right at first, but once you get the hang of it, you love it and want to participate all the time. I'm sure that we'd see hard core lobbying at first by many special interest groups, and we'd have to suffer some lows before learning how to best navigate for OUR OWN interests. We certainly have the technology to do it...

BTC_P2P 1y ago

I don’t think a direct democracy is the way. It becomes tyranny of the majority then. The poor always voting to enrich themselves at the expense of the productive and so on.

Also, after decades of dumbing down the general population with propaganda, subpar educational programming and modern toxic foods substantially impacting cognitive abilities, I do not trust the average person to be able to think (or vote) with clarity or objectivity - at all.

I used to be in favor of direct democracy but after more thought and the reasons I listed above I am against it wholeheartedly.

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Discussion

Filip 1y ago

Agree with everything you mentioned. I'm just unsure if this is the initial phase which we come out of. For example, the rich and the intelligent will have to figure out how to flex their financial muscle in a way that's beneficial to everyone. The focus will be more on the problems of wider society then on the success of individuals and businesses.

Still undecided.... but yes, we are in a deep hole with education, health, society...

BTC_P2P 1y ago

A deep hole indeed. One of the main positive externalities of Bitcoin (imo) is it has become a Schelling point for productive, healthy and forward-looking humans. I believe that the humans utilizing this Network to accumulate capital will eventually coalesce around global hubs where things like direct democracy will be viable. It’s a sort of filter. Then from those early successful examples others can copy what’s worked and replicate in their localities. That’s my greatest hope.

But I’m still not sure if democracy is the answer. I think markets are the ultimate voting mechanism and capital the way in which votes are most effectively cast. Hopeful for the future regardless.