Date: Fri, 19 Feb 99 10:11:10 EST
From: "Brian J. Callahan" <Brian=J.=Callahan%MT%DFCI-AT-EYE.DFCI.HARVARD.EDU>
Subject: re: Thoughts on Democracy.


Ryan writes:
>Just wanted to share some thoughts with the list.  I've been thinking about 
>how democracy works and how what the majority wants in a voting situation is 
>usually the quick fix or not the best choice (IMHO).  Anyways,  I was 
>wondering what you people think about the ancient Greek system of a lotery 
>based election.  This would have to include a high level of political 
>education within the system.  Does anyone else have any thoughts on this?    

I've always thought lottery should be a key component in an anarchist 
society.  Not all jobs could be allocated this way, because of special 
training needed, but people meeting a certain threshold and demonstrating 
interest in something could all be put in the lottery for that job.  It 
avoids that inevitable factionalism fostered by elections, and removes or 
reduces the advantage of the glib.