If there was just some way for political elections to be built on the same “game theory“ as Blockchain – “Tragedy of the Commons“ – and only greater-good decisions were possible.
Or what if there were serious consequences for intentional lying, such as the liar loses his house or half his bank account? Then, perhaps, there could be actual free and fair democratic elections.
But as long as lying, money, media manipulation, vote counting methodology (even biometric voting in 2019 did not succeed in the Afghanistan presidential election) and Saul Alinsky’s version of “game theory strategy” are part of politics, democracy is not what it should be.
Every country on earth recognizes that “democracy“ can only be effective under certain circumstances… that do not actually exist in most countries or in most election cycles. Democracy when humans are involved is certainly not the Holy Grail, apparently. Sometimes, even if it seems to be the best available option, “the human touch“ can make it just another hiding place for different versions of tyranny, deceit, and greed.
There are just too many political and media and procedural tricks of the trade available to successfully elect government officials for most humans to resist. Most can’t leave it to the chance of mere policy, platform, and qualifications. Especially if the political class came to the table with no other skills. They have to find a way to succeed, by any means necessary, lie, cheat, steal, poison, incarcerate, manufacture stories or whatever it takes. It’s just part of the game. Power and money are strong motivators.
Those with enough character to resist nasty tactics to acquire money and power… usually know better than to run for government office.
That’s how we often end up with so many poor choices amongst candidates. Not always, but often. The political class, often with less character and less leadership and business skill than ten thousand other potential candidates, are the ones willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish their goals.
This is not always so, but it is true often enough. Bad people get elected and reelected again and again in many countries. Just pick up a copy of The Economist Magazine — and you’ll see that 20 nations are in the same predicament right this very moment.
If there were only actual consequences for lying to the electorate, the citizens of any country.
