Comments on: Note to Deliberative Democrats (and Iowans) http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2006/08/31/note-to-deliberative-democrats-and-iowans/ The Sweet Release of Reason Sat, 30 Aug 2008 02:55:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Sanpete http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2006/08/31/note-to-deliberative-democrats-and-iowans/#comment-25937 Sanpete Sat, 09 Sep 2006 16:21:57 +0000 http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2006/08/31/note-to-deliberative-democrats-and-iowans/#comment-25937 Maybe it's the corn. I'd guess that caucuses are a better idea for local affairs, on a scale where people know each other and their situation and all have a direct stake. I don't think I'd want to "deliberate" much with a crowd about partisan politics in general. Maybe it’s the corn. I’d guess that caucuses are a better idea for local affairs, on a scale where people know each other and their situation and all have a direct stake. I don’t think I’d want to “deliberate” much with a crowd about partisan politics in general.

]]> By: Tom Hess http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2006/08/31/note-to-deliberative-democrats-and-iowans/#comment-25549 Tom Hess Thu, 07 Sep 2006 20:36:03 +0000 http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2006/08/31/note-to-deliberative-democrats-and-iowans/#comment-25549 Sanpete asks: " Do deliberative caucuses lead to better outcomes (in controlled conditions)?" YES! I've lived in Iowa, Illinois, Ohio and Indiana. The quality of the elected officials in Iowa is clearly much higher. This is not entirely due to caucuses, but they play an important role. Caucus goers are better informed than the average voter. Half-wit ideas are shot down faster. Sanpete asks: ” Do deliberative caucuses lead to better outcomes (in controlled conditions)?”

YES!

I’ve lived in Iowa, Illinois, Ohio and Indiana. The quality of the elected officials in Iowa is clearly much higher. This is not entirely due to caucuses, but they play an important role. Caucus goers are better informed than the average voter. Half-wit ideas are shot down faster.

]]> By: bkl http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2006/08/31/note-to-deliberative-democrats-and-iowans/#comment-24546 bkl Sun, 03 Sep 2006 01:06:31 +0000 http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2006/08/31/note-to-deliberative-democrats-and-iowans/#comment-24546 Really why should voting be hidden behind curtains, as if there was something shameful about it? That curtain just protects the most shameful prejudices and hatreds. More transparency is always preferable. Really why should voting be hidden behind curtains, as if there was something shameful about it? That curtain just protects the most shameful prejudices and hatreds. More transparency is always preferable.

]]> By: Sanpete http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2006/08/31/note-to-deliberative-democrats-and-iowans/#comment-24188 Sanpete Fri, 01 Sep 2006 20:57:36 +0000 http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2006/08/31/note-to-deliberative-democrats-and-iowans/#comment-24188 At the risk of showing failure to better appreciate what may be Will's subtle sense of humor, I'll say I'm not sure how much the Iowa caucuses resemble "Deliberation Day." Whether they are more democratic than what we already have depends on what is most important about democracy. I'd be interested in studies and experiments about these things. Do deliberative caucuses lead to better outcomes (in controlled conditions)? Do caucuses with public voting improve rational choice or muddle it with social pressures and group think? Getting back to the Greeks, we might want to take the ideas about measures favoring more informed and motivated voters to their logical conclusion and limit voting to those who have completed training as philosopher kings. At the risk of showing failure to better appreciate what may be Will’s subtle sense of humor, I’ll say I’m not sure how much the Iowa caucuses resemble “Deliberation Day.” Whether they are more democratic than what we already have depends on what is most important about democracy.

I’d be interested in studies and experiments about these things. Do deliberative caucuses lead to better outcomes (in controlled conditions)? Do caucuses with public voting improve rational choice or muddle it with social pressures and group think?

Getting back to the Greeks, we might want to take the ideas about measures favoring more informed and motivated voters to their logical conclusion and limit voting to those who have completed training as philosopher kings.

]]> By: Bluey http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2006/08/31/note-to-deliberative-democrats-and-iowans/#comment-24175 Bluey Fri, 01 Sep 2006 19:23:30 +0000 http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2006/08/31/note-to-deliberative-democrats-and-iowans/#comment-24175 Actually, Beinhart got it wrong. 96% of Registered Democrats participated in the 2004 primary in New Hampshire. Actually, Beinhart got it wrong. 96% of Registered Democrats participated in the 2004 primary in New Hampshire.

]]> By: Ezra http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2006/08/31/note-to-deliberative-democrats-and-iowans/#comment-24004 Ezra Fri, 01 Sep 2006 01:31:16 +0000 http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2006/08/31/note-to-deliberative-democrats-and-iowans/#comment-24004 Oh, I don't know about that. I think caucuses are actually a better method of democracy, but I think the logistical objections (night shift workers excluded, many parents with young children excluded, etc) are compelling problems that deserve a solution. Of course, I also think we should get days off for voting, so there ya go. Oh, I don’t know about that. I think caucuses are actually a better method of democracy, but I think the logistical objections (night shift workers excluded, many parents with young children excluded, etc) are compelling problems that deserve a solution. Of course, I also think we should get days off for voting, so there ya go.

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