[1]Why Democracy Doesn't Deliver

    At the root of the problem is a predilection for short-​termism that
    has become embedded in the political and business culture of modern
    democracies. By design, Western politicians have relatively short
    political horizons; they are often in office for terms of less than
    five years. So they find their duties regularly interrupted by
    elections that distract from the job of addressing long-​term policy
    challenges. As a result, politicians are naturally and rationally
    drawn to focus their efforts on seducing their electorates with
    short-​term sweeteners - including economic policies designed to
    quickly produce favorable monthly inflation, unemployment, and GDP
    numbers.

    Voters generally favor policies that enhance their own well-​being
    with little consideration for that of future generations or for
    long-​term outcomes. Politicians are rewarded for pandering to
    voters' immediate demands and desires, to the detriment of growth
    over the long term. Because democratic systems encourage such
    short-​termism, it will be difficult to solve many of the seemingly
    intractable structural problems slowing global growth without an
    overhaul of democracy.

  (Via [2]Foreign Policy[3])

  Regardless where you fall on the political spectrum and/or are a
  foreign observer of the U.S. democratic circus, this is a thought
  provoking read.

  Who is playing the "long game" anymore? And if they are, can they? I'm
  no fan of term limits - I think they are "managing to the edge",
  meaning dealing with elements outside of the norm, and hurt the "long
  game" view. But I see value in certain limits.

  Curtailing the election cycle, and the periods in which politicians and
  PACs and such can collect finds and spend them, should also be part of
  the mix. I REALLY like the idea of PACs & SuperPACs & committees & the
  candidates only being allowed to solicit campaign funds for 45 days
  before the campaign of 90 days (or some well defined term) before the
  election. For the House of Representatives, and any other body that is
  similarly short termed, I would make it 30 days for fund raising and 30
  days for campaigning.

  I also think the U.S. Election Day should be a national holiday with
  mandatory voting.

  Your mileage may vary.
  Also on:

  [4]Twitter
    __________________________________________________________________

  My original entry is here: . It posted Sun, 06 May 2018 14:00:03 +0000.
  Filed under: personal,

References

  Visible links
  1. http://foreignpolicy.com/2018/04/26/why-democracy-doesnt-deliver/
  2. http://foreignpolicy.com/
  3. http://foreignpolicy.com/
  4. https://twitter.com/TokyoGringo/status/993129417550462977

  Hidden links:
  6. https://www.prjorgensen.com/?p=1084