Binding Rules Can Binding Rules Be Used to Play Democracy as a - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Binding Rules Can Binding Rules Be Used to Play Democracy as a Strategic Game? Zdenˇ ek Rosenberg Masaryk University Cambridge, 24 th June 2014 Cambridge, 24 th June 2014 Zdenˇ ek Rosenberg (Masaryk University) Binding Rules 1 / 8

Imposing the binding rules In this thought experiment I examine the possibility of minor political party imposing on itself binding set of rules. Cambridge, 24 th June 2014 Zdenˇ ek Rosenberg (Masaryk University) Binding Rules 2 / 8

Imposing the binding rules In this thought experiment I examine the possibility of minor political party imposing on itself binding set of rules. Voters of such party would prefer to use their vote on support of selected rules over all other topics in politics. Cambridge, 24 th June 2014 Zdenˇ ek Rosenberg (Masaryk University) Binding Rules 2 / 8

Imposing the binding rules In this thought experiment I examine the possibility of minor political party imposing on itself binding set of rules. Voters of such party would prefer to use their vote on support of selected rules over all other topics in politics. Number of these rules must be low (around three). Cambridge, 24 th June 2014 Zdenˇ ek Rosenberg (Masaryk University) Binding Rules 2 / 8

Imposing the binding rules In this thought experiment I examine the possibility of minor political party imposing on itself binding set of rules. Voters of such party would prefer to use their vote on support of selected rules over all other topics in politics. Number of these rules must be low (around three). These binding rules would lower value of a party to any coalition it may possibly form. Party would never support any action going against their binding rules. On the other hand party politics in any other area may be more flexible than those of traditional parties to compensate for this. Cambridge, 24 th June 2014 Zdenˇ ek Rosenberg (Masaryk University) Binding Rules 2 / 8

Imposing the binding rules In this thought experiment I examine the possibility of minor political party imposing on itself binding set of rules. Voters of such party would prefer to use their vote on support of selected rules over all other topics in politics. Number of these rules must be low (around three). These binding rules would lower value of a party to any coalition it may possibly form. Party would never support any action going against their binding rules. On the other hand party politics in any other area may be more flexible than those of traditional parties to compensate for this. Any member of the party is subjected to these rules and failing them means exclusion from the party. Cambridge, 24 th June 2014 Zdenˇ ek Rosenberg (Masaryk University) Binding Rules 2 / 8

Rules These rules must be simple and very clear. Cambridge, 24 th June 2014 Zdenˇ ek Rosenberg (Masaryk University) Binding Rules 3 / 8

Rules These rules must be simple and very clear. Neat mechanism such as voting within party on all its levels must be set to prevent possible breach of these rules by minority within a party. The whole party is the guarantee. These mechanisms would determine: who and under what circumstances can suggest a vote on the possible breach of the rule. Cambridge, 24 th June 2014 Zdenˇ ek Rosenberg (Masaryk University) Binding Rules 3 / 8

Rules These rules must be simple and very clear. Neat mechanism such as voting within party on all its levels must be set to prevent possible breach of these rules by minority within a party. The whole party is the guarantee. These mechanisms would determine: who and under what circumstances can suggest a vote on the possible breach of the rule. how many members are needed to actually declare the vote. Cambridge, 24 th June 2014 Zdenˇ ek Rosenberg (Masaryk University) Binding Rules 3 / 8

Rules These rules must be simple and very clear. Neat mechanism such as voting within party on all its levels must be set to prevent possible breach of these rules by minority within a party. The whole party is the guarantee. These mechanisms would determine: who and under what circumstances can suggest a vote on the possible breach of the rule. how many members are needed to actually declare the vote. This can work well when there is enough time. Many practical real time political decisions would have to be evaluated only ex post. Cambridge, 24 th June 2014 Zdenˇ ek Rosenberg (Masaryk University) Binding Rules 3 / 8

Rules These rules must be simple and very clear. Neat mechanism such as voting within party on all its levels must be set to prevent possible breach of these rules by minority within a party. The whole party is the guarantee. These mechanisms would determine: who and under what circumstances can suggest a vote on the possible breach of the rule. how many members are needed to actually declare the vote. This can work well when there is enough time. Many practical real time political decisions would have to be evaluated only ex post. No to all uncompensated budget cuts in selected resort or no to any law leading to increase in income inequality may be examples of such a binding rules. Cambridge, 24 th June 2014 Zdenˇ ek Rosenberg (Masaryk University) Binding Rules 3 / 8

Modification for individual politicians Any politician can impose individual rules on herself or himself. This may be problematic in some countries. Also it is nothing more than a promise (penalty mechanism cannot be properly enforced). Cambridge, 24 th June 2014 Zdenˇ ek Rosenberg (Masaryk University) Binding Rules 4 / 8

Why now? (1) Is general dissatisfaction with politics increasing? Cambridge, 24 th June 2014 Zdenˇ ek Rosenberg (Masaryk University) Binding Rules 5 / 8

Why now? (2) There is the demand for change (Occupy movement, Iceland). Cambridge, 24 th June 2014 Zdenˇ ek Rosenberg (Masaryk University) Binding Rules 6 / 8

Why now? (3) Technology - access to information and ability to vote online for the party members. Is there any chance you would for such a party? Can you imagine somebody who would? Could it encourage enough voters to make a difference? Could there be a space for a fact based competition in politics? Cambridge, 24 th June 2014 Zdenˇ ek Rosenberg (Masaryk University) Binding Rules 7 / 8

The End Thank You for Your Attention! zros@mail.muni.cz Cambridge, 24 th June 2014 Zdenˇ ek Rosenberg (Masaryk University) Binding Rules 8 / 8