12 November 2008

If you think the electoral college is confusing...

Consider the Venetians. For more than 500 years the doge of Venice was selected by 30 members of the Great Council who were chosen by lot,
who were then reduced by lot to 9,
who then chose 40,
who were then reduced by lot to 12,
who then chose 25,
who were reduced by lot to 9,
who then elected 45,
who were reduced by lot to 11,
who then chose the 41 who finally elected the doge.

We are assured by researchers that this actually worked reasonably well in avoiding corruption and the influence of special interests.

(Text credit to the November issue of Discover magazine, online here)

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