For two hundred years, we have assumed that free elections bring democracy and good government. The media, politicians and some political scientists tell us so, but is this true? The governments we elect fail to effectively tackle urgent problems such as climate change and environmental degradation, even though most people want immediate action. Politicians blatantly disregard facts, corruption is widespread, and the influence of powerful lobbies and wealthy interests on politics is notorious. Although we call our system “representative democracy” in fact it is neither. Yet in spite of their obvious failings we continue, with a sort of collective blindness, to put our faith in elections – and to complain afterwards at the results.

After listing in detail the failings of elections, this book presents a feasible alternative: sortition, (choice by lot), which, when used with suitable institutions, provides a much fairer representation than we see at present, giving a parliament which automatically takes into account the wishes of all citizens. In the model proposed any citizen may make proposals for laws, and the use of policy committees to do background research permits fair, informed and intelligent decisions even on complicated technical questions. The author shows how such a parliament can interact with the administration and the judiciary, gives examples of the legislature in action and shows the advantages of this system in eliminating corruption, incoherent policies, and the dominance of money, ideology, and crude, “tribal” loyalties among voters.

We need reform, and this is the reform that will make other reforms possible.

“Excellent. Well thought through, and well-argued.”
—Terrill Bouricius, former Vermont Senator

“Innovative, thoughtful, and well-written. I highly recommend it”
—David Schecter, Political researcher

“Punchy, concise, practical and clear. Wonderfully readable and non-academic”
—Iain Walker, New Democracy Foundation