legislative jury – A new form of democracy
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I think it has been suggested in some form of another but this article once again brings up how a society can be a more democratic one.
https://dissidentvoice.org/2020/06/let-legislative-juries-decide-laws/
a random sample of the public that meets to make an informed decision about a proposed law. Such randomly sampled juries can be large enough to be statistically accurate representations of the public, numbering perhaps 800 or more citizens. Jurors can be paid to work full-time for as many days or weeks as needed to make an informed decision. As representative samples of the public engaged to take the time to make an informed decision, legislative juries can provide the democratic ideal of informed rule by the people.
Legislative juries would decide proposed laws by majority vote, using secret ballot, after a fair hearing on a level playing, with supporters and opponents of the proposed law having equal time to present their case to the jury.
Isn’t this similar to XR’s demand for a Citizens Assembly? In fact similar to what we have speculated could be tried in socialism with local councillors being chosen by lot.
It could work in socialism but I have doubts about it being an extension of democracy under capitalism with its vested interests. These are certain to try to pack juries by challenging jurors who might vote against them as they do in US courts now.
And do we really want to have to submit our proposal to dispossess the capitalist class by declaring all property rights and stocks and shares null and void to such a jury?
Best to stick to local councils and parliaments elected by universal suffrage as long as capitalism lasts.
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