At present, virtually anyone who wants to go to ward and city conventions gets to go. That makes those conventions very democratic (small "d"). And, it's probably a poor form of democracy by being a self-selecting democracy and not everyone. If the number of delegates were reduced, that means that the conventions would become republican (small "r"). That is, the people there represent all those who elected them back in the home precinct. And, as representatives, the delegates have responsibilities to those they represent. That's not so in a democratic convention where everyone represents just themselves. That fact alone would change the spirit of the entire convention -- for the better in my view.
Why?
Well, read your James Madison to start with. Representatives have a duty to exercise judgment and not just be a pass-through of common will. It's what prevents democracy from descending into "mob rule." For another example, consider the legislature. We don't allow them to vote on bills by secret ballot. That's so that it is clearly evident to the electors what votes are being cast by their representatives. (And they are visible to all around in case of a voice vote or show of hands and actual recording in case a roll call is demanded.)
And, among other differences, at a republican (small "r") convention, all the voting would have to be public (probably by show of hands) and not by secret ballot. That's because as representatives the represented have a right to know how their representatives are voting. While that effect is the most important, it also has the affect of taking only a moment to look at the hands (or a relatively short time to count hands) rather than the hour or more that it takes to count secret ballots.
Somewhat related, it would also have an affect on the delegates who tell every candidate that he or she supports them while thinking they are being so clever at their deception. Anyone who is working for any candidate is familiar with the guess work of how many liars they have to contend with in his or her endorsement campaign. Frankly, I think that helping out the candidates by encouraging truth-telling is something that is worthwhile to encourage.
I am sure that many DFLers regard "democracy" as the heart and soul of their process. However, I'd encourage them to consider the problems with democracy that "republicanism" is intended to cure. After all, "republicanism" is the foundation principle of our entire government and NOT "democracy."
Steve Cross Prospect Park
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