randomly choose ~5-10 people for each seat, and these are your candidates
It would be better if the representative themselves were randomly chosen, rather than candidates.
The problem is that elections are fundamentally undemocratic. Oligarchs, elites, the rich - whatever you call our aristocrats - will always be better placed to influence others, win elections and then represent their narrow interests against the majority. As they do now.
That was my first thought, actually. I’ve since come to realize that a completely random selection may not properly reflect the will of the population, and some electoral input is desireable.
What you’re referring to is the influence of money in politics, and my answer to that would be pretty simple: 100% forbid all advertising in elections. Instead, candidates are provided screen time on public television & radio (CBC / Radio-Canada), a website where they can present their platform, and some form of print media that gets distributed in all homes. They can only advertise through these channels, and nowhere else. If a journalist wants to interview a candidate, they also have to give equal coverage to their opponents.
Basically, money would be useless as a tool for winning elections. Electoral spending is already closely scrutinized here in Canada, this would only bring that even further.
It would be better if the representative themselves were randomly chosen, rather than candidates.
The problem is that elections are fundamentally undemocratic. Oligarchs, elites, the rich - whatever you call our aristocrats - will always be better placed to influence others, win elections and then represent their narrow interests against the majority. As they do now.
That was my first thought, actually. I’ve since come to realize that a completely random selection may not properly reflect the will of the population, and some electoral input is desireable.
What you’re referring to is the influence of money in politics, and my answer to that would be pretty simple: 100% forbid all advertising in elections. Instead, candidates are provided screen time on public television & radio (CBC / Radio-Canada), a website where they can present their platform, and some form of print media that gets distributed in all homes. They can only advertise through these channels, and nowhere else. If a journalist wants to interview a candidate, they also have to give equal coverage to their opponents.
Basically, money would be useless as a tool for winning elections. Electoral spending is already closely scrutinized here in Canada, this would only bring that even further.