From: Rafal Smigrodzki (rafal@smigrodzki.org)
Date: Thu May 29 2003 - 17:05:49 MDT
owner-extropians@extropy.org wrote:
> Rafal writes:
>
>>> What's vernier voting?
>>
>> ### MP's first vote extensively on what they want - they vote
>> on hundreds of issues of interest, with the results available for
>> everybody's perusal. The votes do not become law, though -
>> until there is a vernier vote. Each MP has to decide on the
>> degree of majority needed to pass all of the previously
>> voted-on issues. E.g. you voted for a ban on abortion and
>> 51% of MP's did, too. But if vernier vote sets the majority at
>> 51%, then you might have to accept a ban on prayer in public
>> parks, voted on by, say, 52% of MP's. If your minimum
>> majority is too low, you end up with a lot of laws you hate,
>> because there will always be some majorities against you.
>> On the other hand, if you set your minimum majority too high
>> (99%?), you will end up with laws against murder not being
>> passed. Presumably, most humans would choose the kind
>> of majority least likely to impose a lot against their wishes, while
>> still making sure the really important issues are addressed.
>>
>> Vernier voting offers an opportunity to choose the whole set
>> of social parameters based on one aggregate vote, taking into
>> consideration conflicting wishes, rather than voting on everything
>> piecemeal, and losing the sight of the big picture. I am not sure
>> how it would work in practice, but I would definitely give it a try.
>> It wouldn't cure the short-sightedness inherent in democratic
>> politics, but it should improve the conflict-resolution among
>> competing demands.
>
> Interesting idea. But aren't you overlooking the need for MPs
> and parliaments to respond to urgent exogenous shocks. Lots
> of things economic, military, epidemiological, can change that are
> outside the national boundaries and planning horizons of MPs
> weighting things up in a given parliamentary session yet still need
> a response. How would the Vernier voting cater for the
> unexpected and urgent issue? Perhaps a need or the desirability
> to declare marshal law say or to to impose a quarantine due
> to a particular outbreak.
### Good point. Some votes, say, a defined class of emergency decisions,
could be voted into law using the majority rule from the last vernier vote
(and would be valid only till the next vernier).
Rafal
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