4 institutions that break elite political power

Rules of the Game – discussing democratic institutions

How can we divide and decentralize elite political power? How can we prevent power grabs and reduce the influence of lobbyists? In this episode I briefly discuss four institutions that are capable of diffusing political power and give citizens more control over the political process.

I nickname and debate the following four institutions: First, the “constitutional” democratic institution, that is the electoral law, and specifically proportional representation. How do we select people to represent us in the most important political body in our countries, our parliaments? Second, the “sovereign” democratic institution, that is direct democracy. Do the people have veto power over laws and constitutions, and are they hence truly sovereign? Third, the “localized” democratic institution, that is federalism. Is political power separated also vertically and across different territories in a country? And finally, the “ignored” democratic institution, that is executive councils or committees. Why don't we use councils as executive governments to have more balanced decision making?

I tell you how these four types of democratic institutions give the people more authority over political power, how they can balance and complement each other, and how each of them can be a check on the other.

Corrigenda: (1) The popular vote that introduced proportional representation in Switzerland in 1918 was approved by the male citizens, as women did not have the right to vote at that time. (2) I mention the French constitution of 1793, but said 1893 by mistake.

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Find some references and a full transcript at https://rulesofthegame.blog/4-institutions-that-break-elite-political-power/