My latest in Fusion Magazine which can be read here . It’s a great place to publish with fascinating essays from wonderful scholars which I cannot recommend enough! :)
Although I don’t agree with it, I’m quite happy to acknowledge that sortition is an entirely valid proposal. What I would add, though, is that, certainly in Ireland, at least, citizens’ assemblies have been very far from random: when you look at the details, the selection has so many considerations factored in that it’s influenced substantially by a number of valid but debatable assumptions, which for me moves it a long way from the principle of sortition.
That is true. In some methods of sortition there have been safeguards put in place to attain a 'representative' sample of the population. So, even though the element of randomness is still there it does look different from more traditional models of 'sortition'. There are problems with this as you've alluded to which I probably should write a piece on by itself tbh.
I understand why the efforts are made but once you start manipulating the selection I think you need to admit that it’s no longer random, and you then move into a different area.
I think even within those parameters you still have randomness as part of the equation. It may be less random than a lottery in which everyone is entered and has a precisely equal chance of success but the lack of choice within 'who' represents i think ensures the element of randomness remains.
Although I don’t agree with it, I’m quite happy to acknowledge that sortition is an entirely valid proposal. What I would add, though, is that, certainly in Ireland, at least, citizens’ assemblies have been very far from random: when you look at the details, the selection has so many considerations factored in that it’s influenced substantially by a number of valid but debatable assumptions, which for me moves it a long way from the principle of sortition.
That is true. In some methods of sortition there have been safeguards put in place to attain a 'representative' sample of the population. So, even though the element of randomness is still there it does look different from more traditional models of 'sortition'. There are problems with this as you've alluded to which I probably should write a piece on by itself tbh.
I understand why the efforts are made but once you start manipulating the selection I think you need to admit that it’s no longer random, and you then move into a different area.
I think even within those parameters you still have randomness as part of the equation. It may be less random than a lottery in which everyone is entered and has a precisely equal chance of success but the lack of choice within 'who' represents i think ensures the element of randomness remains.