Rethink cover image

Rethink

Rethink... voting

Sep 26, 2024
Glen Weyl, a Microsoft Research co-creator of Quadratic Voting, shares his vision for revolutionizing electoral systems. Rosie Campbell, a Politics professor at King's College, expresses skepticism about the viability of this approach. Hannah White, CEO of the Institute for Government, discusses its potential impact in Parliament. Rob Ford, a Political Science professor, investigates the intricate relationship between citizenship and voting rights in the UK. Together, they unravel the complexities of modern voting systems and explore how to better represent diverse political opinions.
27:55

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The evolution of voting rights in the UK highlights ongoing disparities, particularly for certain demographics like long-term EU residents and recent immigrants.
  • Quadratic voting presents a potential solution to the limitations of the first-past-the-post system by allowing voters to express stronger preferences and achieve more balanced representation.

Deep dives

Rethinking the Voting System

The current voting system in Britain has faced scrutiny following recent elections, highlighting the need for reform. Critics of the first-past-the-post system argue that it disenfranchises voters, particularly in constituencies with clear majority parties, thereby rendering many votes ineffective. While a referendum in 2011 resulted in a decision to retain this system, ongoing discussions around representation indicate that changes may still be warranted. Historical shifts in who can vote, including laws that previously restricted voting rights, demonstrate that the electoral framework is not immutable and can evolve.

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