Starter discussions

Should voters be able to recall any elected official midterm? Recall powers offer a remedy for failure but may turn governing into permanent campaigning.

Should randomly selected citizens replace one legislative chamber? A lottery could diversify representation while giving major responsibilities to inexperienced participants.

Should governments be run by experts instead of elected politicians? Expertise can improve technical decisions, but expertise alone does not confer democratic legitimacy.

Should lobbying by former politicians be banned for life? A permanent ban could close revolving doors but restrict legitimate work after public service.

Should elected officials have to publish every meeting with lobbyists? Transparency can expose influence while discouraging confidential discussions about sensitive problems.

Should candidates be legally required to attend public debates? Voters benefit from scrutiny, but compulsory debates give organizers power over campaign strategy.

Should political advertising be banned from social media? A ban could limit manipulation while making it harder for small campaigns to reach people.

Should anonymous political advertising be prohibited? Disclosure helps voters judge motives, but anonymity can protect unpopular political speech.

Should political parties be funded only with public money? Public funding could reduce donor influence while making taxpayers support views they oppose.

Should elections be rerun when turnout is extremely low? A turnout threshold might strengthen legitimacy while rewarding organized boycotts.

Should a blank ballot count as a vote against the entire field? Formal rejection could pressure parties to improve or repeatedly delay filling essential offices.

Should the voting age be lowered to sixteen? Young people live with long-term decisions, but maturity and independence remain disputed standards.