Mathematical research indicates that parliaments work best when some, though not all, members are chosen at random Marc AbrahamsThe Guardian, Tuesday 17 April 2012 Democracies would be better off if they chose some of their politicians at random. That’s the word, mathematically obtained, from a team of Italian physicists, economists, and political analysts. The team...Continue reading
A Handbook on Citizens’ Juries with particular reference to health care
Author: Mooney. G. (2010) Honorary Professor, University of Sydney, Australia; Honorary Professor of Health Economics, University of Cape Town, South Africa; and Visiting Professor, Aarhus University, Denmark and the University of New South Wales, Australia. AbstractThis book is aimed primarily at health service staff in Australia interested in running a citizens’ jury in health care....Continue reading
City of Sydney – Safe & Vibrant Nightlife (2013)
In September 2013, the Foundation was appointed by the City of Sydney to conduct a Citizens Jury which mirrors the process underway for the South Australian Parliament through Premier Jay Weatherill. Importantly, the City of Sydney’s role is complemented by the commitment of Premier O’Farrell to table the results of the Jury’s deliberations into Parliament...Continue reading
Elections
In the media age, contemporary democracies are dominated by the spectacle of debating and divisiveness, especially at election time. Elections are now not much more than a series of competing sound-bites, with voting just another polling event: a ‘low involvement product’. We’ve groomed charismatic and articulate political performers, whose primary skill is to debate, divide...Continue reading
Policy Paper for Political Parties: Building Trust in Government
Author: A Draft Policy Paper from The newDemocracy Foundation Abstract: This paper has been produced in response to requests from a number of political parties leading in to the 2013 Federal Election. It outlines a practical, costed option as a clear, substantive step for those parties seeking to improve our democracy by posing the question of...Continue reading
Department of Premier and Cabinet – A Vibrant and Safe Nightlife for Adelaide (2013)
In April 2013, the Foundation was appointed by the Department of Premier and Cabinet to conduct a Citizens Jury to complement other measures and policy responses linked to alcohol related violence. In all spheres of government, it can occur that good decisions don’t get made for fear of the political cost through a vox pop...Continue reading
Ignorance and inclusion, Mr Jefferson, might be good for democracy
Author: Assoc Prof. Lyn Carson, United States Study Centre, University of Sydney, 2009. Abstract: Jefferson’s fears about the uneducated dragging down democracy into service of base desires, and its corollary that education is essential to protect it, is challenged in this paper.
The Human Side of Mechanism Design
December 2008 Author: Daniel McFadden, Department of Economics, University of California, Berkeley Abstract: This paper explores an economist’s view of the rationale for using randomly selected juries of citizens for resource allocation projects such as major infrastructure decisions and tax policy. Full Research Paper
Electoral Reform in Queensland
In December 2012, the Queensland Government announced a comprehensive review of the electoral process (attached below for ease of reference). The submission was made on March 1st and the Review is ongoing. The Foundation has made a submission referring to three major parts of the review: the chance to apply a candidate diversity rule to...Continue reading
The Ground Zero Project: rebuilding Lower Manhattan (New York, United States)
Initial proposals for rebuilding the World Trade Center site had met with low levels of public approval, leading to the creation of a process with deep involvement spanning a range of people in the community. Given the multiple, valid competing claims for a say in the future use of the site, it was clear that...Continue reading