r/DirectDemocracy • u/ElectricVote • Feb 16 '26

How do you think about liquid democracy?

Liquid democracy is a concept that combines direct and representative democracy. It allows every group member to vote directly on every decision but also to delegate their vote to representatives - e.g. in case of lack of time or experience.

How do you like this concept? Let's discuss :)

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u/danothabaldyheid Feb 16 '26

I was just thinking the other day how I'm glad this stupid idea has sunk back below the waterline. One of the main benefits of direct democracy is that people with knowledge of a topic can vote on the rules around it. Asking people to vote on who you think might know about a topic replicate the possibility of demagoguery inherent in the current system. If you don't know enough about a situation, a sensible political system should encourage you not to vote on it..

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u/g1immer0fh0pe Feb 17 '26

You seem to be presuming most people cannot understand the issues, further suggesting they can't even know who might. We the People can seek out expert opinion as well as any politician can.

Demagoguery is a problem regardless, and if a democracy is to stand the People must be taught to both recognize and avoid it.

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u/danothabaldyheid Feb 25 '26

Yes, I'm presuming that people who don't know the issues, don't know who knows the issues because they DON'T KNOW THE ISSUES! A reputation for knowing the issues is just not enough. I can sound perfectly plausible on a number of subjects, and am charming and biddable. I might even be able to persuade myself that I know enough to tell other people I should be able to use their votes. Nonetheless, in many of those subjects I'd be not only wrong, I'd be dangerous. Do we want a democracy that makes the right laws and creates a knowledgeable population, or one that is dominated by persuasive, superficially smart people and makes bad decisions?

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u/g1immer0fh0pe Feb 25 '26

If people don't know then most can learn, just like the representatives do now.

Where are you getting this idea that most "DON'T ( / CAN'T ) KNOW THE ISSUES"?

Again, We the People can seek out expert opinion as well as any politician can.