Should we give up on democracy? A good chunk of Americans say yes, we should. We’ve become so divided that a majority of voters on both sides of the aisle believe electing officials from the opposing party in 2024 would create lasting harm in the United States.
But what’s a better option?
British writer H.G. Wells, a committed socialist, suggested handing “over the decisive control of things to a body of prominent citizens — whose return would be very largely due to prominence and public confidence won by other than political activities.” This sounds a lot like the technocratic world we’re living in now.
We prefer the Swiss model of direct democracy, where the country is governed under a federal system at three levels: Confederation, cantons, and communes. Citizens vote often and have a direct voice in decisions at all levels.
This demands active civic engagement, political awareness, vigilance against corruption, and — most of all — tolerance rather than contempt for our fellow man.
READ MORE: What’s better than democracy?