The problem
A change in society has been in the making for many years. The need for change is masterfully exploited by a combative TV personality. But Trump is not the problem; Trump is a consequence and symptom of a dysfunctional democracy. When we are alarmed by Trump and his vassals, we are barking at the wrong tree.
Our current system of democracy does not provide an effective process for reaching shared decisions. Mass protest meetings demonstrate that people do not feel heard. Polarization, influence of big money, fake news, all are consequences of a democratic process that does not convey the preferences of the electorate. The kind of democracy the Founding Fathers designed in 1790 when communication was person-to person is not adequate for our current society in which social media provide every crank a megaphone and allow everyone to reach everyone, any moment. The FF could not foresee that TV and Internet would corrupt the democratic process. The checks and balances that were meant to prevent rule by a mob or rule by an elite, resulted in the opposite. We are now governed by a combination of both. A self-serving elite holds on to power by manipulating a mob of frustrated voters. Voting has become a lame act that leaves everyone frustrated. Mutually reinforcing impediments stand out:
A binary choice once every four years is a very limited way to convey preferences on policies on various issues
Elections are popularity contests driven by emotions and tribal loyalty. Preferences on policies are irrelevant. Slogans can carry an incompetent showman with erratic policies to the top.
A two party system tends to divide votes equally because any policy preference will be co-opted by the other party.
In science, a difference of 2% or less is counted as irrelevant
Social media aggravate polarization because conflicts attract attention and thus increase advertising income.
Money buys publicity. Most TV channels are controlled by wealthy people and serve their interests.
Democratic government requires mutual respect, dialogue and compromise That can work at local level, as town meetings show. In a party system, respect, dialogue and compromise lead to defeat at the next election.
The very idea of parties is silly. It might be easy to record votes for parties, but the votes have little meaning. A check mark does not express an opinion about anything other than preference for party A above party B. Voting for parties gives people the illusion of self-government but is little more than a pacifier for people who like the idea of democracy.
We are now at a turning point in American history. Our current form of democracy is so deficient that 40% does not even take the trouble to vote. Distrust in government makes people give up on voting or worse, vote for destruction .
Solutions
When votes had to be recorded on paper and counted by hand, the only feasible process was to tabulate preferences in two columns. Computers and Internet allow more sophisticated ways of expressing and tabulating preferences. Most importantly, voting on policies can be separated from electing politicians.
Better listening
Permanent opinion surveys online can tell politicians what people want on every issue, all the time, at every level (town, county, state, nation). With that information :
The legislative branch can translate opinions into laws.
The executive branch can translate laws and opinions into actions.
The judicial branch can checks actions against laws and opinions.
Better selection of politicians
Elect politicians in a sequence of levels. At town level each representative carries a weight according to the number of votes they get. A minimum number of votes is required to participate in decisions; say twenty votes. Representatives thus elected, elect town executives. Town executives elect one among them as representative of their town at the next level. Town representatives elect county level executives who elect state executives who elect federal executives who elect the national president. Such a pyramid of elections prioritizes competence above popularity and prevents the formation of parties.
Better education of voters
Voting is the first step of self-government. As government, one must vote for what is best for most people.
Civics classes should teach that a self-interested vote is the first step to corruption.
Better information
The Internet allows fake news to proliferate. For instance, people are made to believe that:
"Republicans are against big government". In reality, spending has been highest under Reagan, Bush and Trump
"The USA workforce is the most efficient" In reality, Americans work 30% more hours than Europeans
"The US health care is the best". In reality, Americans spend twice the % of GNP for a lower life expectancy
The Internet can also help to identify fake news. Wikipedia’s hierarchy of unpaid editors provides an example. However, a voluntary, self-censoring system like Wikipedia is not money-proof. Editors can be paid under the table.
We can identify and punish false banknotes. Similarly, we can identify and punish fake news.
How to start?
Any political structure will resist revolutionary changes. No politician will choose to become obsolete. Change must start at local level where people know each other personally. In 1780 a system with the proposed complexity could not be managed. Connected computers can handle complex data management.
Changing our system is not all we have to do. Trumpism is the symptom of a less happy, less trusting society. We can each make a difference – starting with our own minds. Reach out, share, support, show compassion. We can all do our part to improve the world. Latest edit April 2025