Multilevel voting rounds have the problem that they end up representing elite interests to a very unhealthy degree—round one is likely to select representatives with impressive accomplishments and credentials. Which means the pool of voters for subsequent votes is now more or less entirely from the very top social strata, and as such is not likely to elect leadership responsive to needs of the people. This is not just theory- it has been tried, and the results were bad.
The one I would actually like to see tried is rotating sortition. Representatives are selected for five years terms at random, one year where they are non-voting observers, then 4 years of service. (to counter the inherent problem of throwing people straight into the job)
Do you have any examples of multilevel voting that test whether they increase or decrease the concentration of power?
The only example I know is Venice, where they were introduced with the express purpose of decreasing it and they succeeded. Another example is American direct election of Senators and Presidents. I’m not sure what effect it had there. Plus it is confounded by the continual increase in the franchise.
Multilevel voting rounds have the problem that they end up representing elite interests to a very unhealthy degree—round one is likely to select representatives with impressive accomplishments and credentials. Which means the pool of voters for subsequent votes is now more or less entirely from the very top social strata, and as such is not likely to elect leadership responsive to needs of the people. This is not just theory- it has been tried, and the results were bad.
The one I would actually like to see tried is rotating sortition. Representatives are selected for five years terms at random, one year where they are non-voting observers, then 4 years of service. (to counter the inherent problem of throwing people straight into the job)
Do you have any examples of multilevel voting that test whether they increase or decrease the concentration of power?
The only example I know is Venice, where they were introduced with the express purpose of decreasing it and they succeeded. Another example is American direct election of Senators and Presidents. I’m not sure what effect it had there. Plus it is confounded by the continual increase in the franchise.