Good Morning, Juho
re: "In this case there are also opportunities in campaigning
before nomination."
In which case? In the case of the present system, where campaigning is
used to 'sell' corrupt politicians to the people?
re: [my comment] "As you said to Kristofer Munsterhjelm on this
thread (Thu, 26 Feb 2009), "The citizens should decide what
to do, not just approve the proposals". In the same way, the
citizens should also decide who they want to represent them,
not just approve the choices made by self-interested groups.
[end of my comment]
[To which you responded] "To me this is another independent
and interesting question. (nomination vs. campaigning) (both
can be party driven or party controlled)"
The point is that nominations should not be "party driven or party
controlled". If our electoral process is to be democratic, it must be
controlled by the people, not by parties.
re: "I presented the one-dollar-one-vote principle as a bad
practice for elections."
Indeed, it is.
re: "I don't see campaigning as a problem in itself (although
there may be problems in it, particularly since some sort of
campaigning or at least "active information sharing" seems
unavoidable.)"
Campaigning, in itself, is a problem because politicians must 'sell
their soul' for campaign funds and because the act of campaigning
debases the candidate. Campaigning is only unavoidable as long as you
insist that 'selling' candidates to the people is a good thing. Once
you move past that people-deceiving, rabble-rousing tactic and ask
yourself if there are other ways for the people to carefully examine
candidates, new and better methods present themselves.
re: "(Party controlled campaigning or party controlled nomination
could have more problems.)"
Not "could have", "do have".
re: "I referred to your expression "He who pays the piper, calls
the tune". And I intended to say simply that "extensive use
of money" easily leads to corruption and doesn't support
democracy in the best/intended way, and therefore is not a
target to implement."
We have agreed that the need for money in the electoral process is
corrupting. Can we now take that point as 'given'? If we can accept
that simple ... and obvious ... fact, we can start a list of objectives
for a more democratic electoral process with, "It must not place a
financial burden on political candidates."
re: [my comment] "... the act of campaigning corrupts the
candidate's psyche."
[you responded] "Such risks can't be avoided."
Of course they can. If we design a process that does not require
campaigning, the evils of campaigning will be avoided. To persuade
yourself that such risks are unavoidable is to condone them. Instead of
accepting them because they are an integral part of the present system,
ought we not apply our intellect to the difficult task of devising a
system that avoids them?
re: "People often have difficulties to think in any other way
than the current way."
Only those willing to accept the label (often applied to voters in the
United States) of being lazy or stupid have difficulty entertaining new
ideas. I do not deny such people exist, but I'm confident there are
enough thoughtful, creative people among us to build a better political
system. The distribution of people with exemplary qualities is no less
broad today than it was in the 18th century, when our Constitution was
drawn.
re: "If the reform will be implemented using traditional
political routes best efficiency might be reached by
applying also marketing in various directions."
It will certainly need a broad range of talents, not least of which is
the ability to encourage support by describing the concepts in a
persuasive manner.
re: "Also a more direct approach may work, but only if the case
is really solid and has natural support."
The best way to determine if it is really solid is to challenge it with
rational arguments. Natural support will flow when our educational
institutions look beyond the platitudes that harness academic inquiry to
existing political structures; when they have the courage to objectively
analyze the profoundly anti-democratic nature of partisan politics, and
do so in spite of the storm of calumny their efforts are sure to unleash.
Fred Gohlke
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