Game this out

I’m interested in what comes after the kakistocracy, and how it comes about. It’s not too early to start thinking about what we want, how we could get there, and gaming through various scenarios.

Question one: Do we want to–and can we–return to more or less the system we had before?

Prior to, say, 2001, we had a reasonably functioning, somewhat democratic form of governance. But its faults can be viewed as key contributors to its collapse into kakistocracy. We had antidemocratic elements such as the electoral college and gerrymandering, and the unfortunate design of lifetime appointments to the Supreme Court. We had a Constitution that was designed to protect slavery, albeit later amended to prohibit it. And we had a series of Supreme Court decisions going back at least to Santa Clara County v. Southern Pacific Railroad in 1886 that systematically privileged money over humans. So: Do we need a whole new governance–essentially a new Constitution, or at least major amendments–or do we try to restore more or less what we had before the current debacle?

Question two: Can we restore democracy and the rule of law without a total collapse? Is it possible that if Democrats retake the House, Senate and the White House by 2028 (or 2048) they can push through reforms that restore democracy and the rule of law? Or do we have to truly “hit bottom” before beginning our recovery? Germany had to end up in physical, economic, military, and political ruin before transitioning from autocracy to democracy. Chile accomplished the transition without such collapse. Whither the USA? And if our path goes through total collapse, how can we get from there to a constructive polity?

Question three: What structural reforms are necessary? A few things I think are key:

• End lifetime Supreme Court tenure. Give Justices a long but fixed term that doesn’t coincide neatly with Presidential cycles. Maybe 15 years, or 18.

• Restructure voting. We need to change the process of voting to eliminate “safe seats,” gerrymandering, and two party duopoly, which disenfranchise the majority of voters. I’m a fan of ranked choice voting, but how it’s implemented is critical, and it’s not the only way.

• Mitigate obscene wealth and its power–prioritize human wellbeing over wealth. End corporate personhood, reverse Citizens United, make it clear that limits on money in politics that protect us from corruption and undue influence are permissible, and institute such protections. Allow policies that reverse the growing wealth inequality that has characterized the past 45 years.

Do these point in the right direction? What other reforms do we need?

Question four: What do we start doing today to prepare for the future we want? Is it fruitful to vocally oppose the current misadministration? Should people be organizing in secret? Is it helpful to engage with the MAGA faithful, and if so, how? Is it helpful to work within the Democratic Party? Should people be publishing tracts, manifestos, designs, model constitutions? What do we do, those who care about democracy and human rights?

(Post by Dan T)