Tend It Like A Garden: A Podcast on the Irish Citizens' Assembly The Irish Citizens’ Assembly - A Model Worth Replicating?
Apr 26, 2018
Critics of the Citizens' Assembly model raise concerns about accountability and the random sampling method affecting representation. Participants share their emotional challenges and skepticism about political will. The push to lower the voting age showcases youth engagement and optimism for change. Discussions highlight the potential for replicating the Assembly's success internationally, particularly in divided contexts like the U.S. Lessons from the Assembly underscore the nurturing needed for effective deliberative democracy.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Political Cover via Citizens Assembly
- The Citizens Assembly often serves as political cover for politicians to avoid hot button issues.
- Despite skepticism about politicians' motives, the outcomes of the Assembly can still be very positive.
Sampling Legitimacy Challenges
- Random sampling faced criticism over legitimacy and transparency, especially with improper replacements.
- Proper transparency and clarity are essential to maintain trust in participant selection.
Participation Commitment Limits Diversity
- Participation demand limited diversity as only people able to commit to weekends joined.
- This limited representativeness excludes many demographics with weekend work or caretaking duties.
