Chapter 2: Idea of the Commons' Convention
2.2. Semi-direct representative system
I stated that the Commons' Convention system, which is rooted in Commons' sovereignty, is structured through a system of "semi-direct representative system." The term "direct" is usually used in the case of direct democracy, where the people participate directly in political decision-making without representatives. The current political common sense would be that it is a contradiction in terms to apply this term to representative systems.
Indeed, in a parliamentary system with elected members, members are engaged in political decision-making after being entrusted with representation by the general electorate through a vote. Such intermediary nature is regarded as a symbol of indirect democracy, since members are engaged in political decision-making after being entrusted with representation by the general electorate through voting. And political common sense, which regards the parliamentary system as a synonym for representation, leads us to believe that representation is by its very nature indirect.
But let us change our thinking. Even in a representative system, it is possible to have a system in which the general public can participate as delegates without being elected. If there is no election, it is possible to have an appointment system by a separate body, but the appointed representative body would become a de facto subordinate body to the appointing body and would no longer be democratic.
Therefore, a system in which delegates are selected by lot drawing would be more democratic. Although a lottery may seem like an easy method, it is a much more "direct" system than an electoral system in the sense that, unlike elections, which are ultimately determined by financial resources, anyone who is willing to participate in politics can become a delegate, even if he or she has no financial resources.
Nevertheless, the hesitancy to introduce a lottery system is probably due to the fear that it would make it easier for those with questionable qualifications to win, since their selection would be dependent on chance. However, this is a matter of degree, since the election process does not involve a rigorous pre-screening of eligibility, and elected representatives are often called into question as to their "qualifications."
However, in order to ensure that qualifications are guaranteed, it is assumed that either the application conditions for the lottery are strictly narrowed down or that delegates are licensed and then drawn from among those who have been licensed after passing a certain examination. The former of these methods may lead to elite rule, depending on the conditions set, and the latter, a licensing system, is recommended as a more democratic method.
Thus, a system in which the general public becomes a delegate by lottery and is directly involved in political decision-making without an election can be called a semi-direct representative system, even if it is not "direct" participation by all members, and a representative body constituted based on such a system is the Commons' Convention.
👉The papers published on this blog are meant to expand upon my On Communism.
