Max Stearns, author of 'Parliamentary America', discusses repairing democracy. Canadian gold heist reveals criminals' use of fraudulent bills. Topics include challenges of two-party system, proposed amendments, and global governance models.
The gold heist at Pearson International Airport was the largest in Canadian history, involving over 6,600 stolen bars valued at $20 million.
The thieves were caught through a fraudulent seafood shipment, leading to arrests in 'Operation Goldfish.'
Max Sterns proposed three constitutional amendments to enhance democracy, focusing on proportional representation and accountable leadership.
Sterns' amendments offer a comprehensive plan for democratic repair, drawing from global democratic experiences for lasting change.
Deep dives
Canadian Heist at Pearson International Airport
Over 6,600 gold bars weighing 400 kilograms were stolen from Pearson International Airport, valued at over $20 million. This act marks the largest gold theft in Canadian history.
The Capture of the Thieves
Sergeant Mike Mavetti explains how the thieves were caught. The suspect arrived at Air Canada cargo driving a 5-ton truck with a fraudulent airway bill for a seafood shipment. The investigation was named 'Operation Goldfish' due to having a fish on the inside, an Air Canada employee among the suspects.
Proposed Amendments for Radically Repairing Democracy
Max Sterns discusses three proposed constitutional amendments to address democracy's challenges. These changes focus on electing the lower legislative chamber through a proportional system, altering presidential election procedures to allow coalition formation, and introducing a mechanism for removal through a vote of no confidence based on maladministration.
History of Political Reforms and Proposed Changes
The conversation explores past political reforms and the challenges of implementing changes. Sterns emphasizes the need to learn from global democratic systems that have faced threats effectively. He argues that his proposed amendments are grounded in empirical experience from diverse societies and comparative systems, aiming to address current political pathologies.
Summary of Max Sterns's Proposed Reforms
Max Sterns's suggestions aim to revolutionize the democratic system, addressing issues such as gerrymandering, coalition governance, and presidential accountability. By drawing on international examples and examining the root causes of political challenges, Sterns presents a comprehensive vision for repairing democracy.
Influence of Political Science and Past Reforms
Reflecting on historical political science proposals and reforms, the discussion delves into the complexities of instituting change. Sterns critiques previous attempts at reform, highlighting the need for practical solutions informed by diverse global democratic experiences for lasting democratic repair.
Max Sterns's Vision for Democracy's Future
Max Sterns offers a visionary approach to reshaping democracy through constitutional amendments. His advocacy for proportional representation, coalition-building in governance, and mechanisms for accountable leadership portrays a thorough commitment to rectifying contemporary political challenges and effecting meaningful democratic change.
Canadian police are making arrests in the 2023 theft of $14 million of gold from an Air Canada flight. The criminals weapon of choice? Guns? Dynamite? How about fraudulent bills of lading for scrod? Also on the show, Max Stearns is the author of the new book Parliamentary America: The Least Radical Means of Radically Repairing Our Broken Democracy. We will discuss the needed repairs.
