WhyNot?

Incentives For Politicians

Category: Politics
Responses: 3 (1 in support, 0 neutral, 2 in opposition)
Number of views: 360
Tracking: Track this idea
Community Rating:Weak WeakYour Rating:

Hi,

I came across a couple of ideas in a series of books by David Eddings, collectively known as The Tamuli. I've described them below, but was wondering if any organization, political/ corporate/etc. had ever implemented it (I mean, was it sheer genius, a la "Why Not?" or was it inspired by something else?)

1. The electoral system in one of the nation's states is basically democratic, with a twist. Nobody wants to nominate themselves as candidates for the head of government because the moment they're nominated, all their assets are seized and transferred to the government. If they are not elected, their assets are returned. If they do become the head of the government, since their assets are public, its in the best interests of the unfortunate fellow to make sure the economy does well, otherwise he loses a lot of money!

2. The problem with malcontents is that they think they know how to do things better than incumbent governments. So instead of allowing the firebrands to run amok, the government says something along the lines of: Well, if you think you can run things better, go ahead and show us. That way, the government is seen as sympathetic & listening, and the malcontent effectively switches sides!

Thanks

Axe

akshay_a, Nov 10 2003

What do you think of this idea or comment?
(You can change your vote at any time)

agree I agree no opinion No opinion disagree I disagree

Other ideas in category (Politics):

Domestic oil drilling option (3 votes) Weak
Ending the war on drugs (187 votes) Very strong
welfare vs illegal (5 votes) Average
Goals, not time-US out of Iraq (1 votes) Average
Move Hunter College (3 votes) Average
Vote against incumbent (2 votes) Average
Shorter Election, no Incumbent (3 votes) Average
Bring your kids to vote! (4 votes) Average
no need to vote (6 votes) Weak
Voting franchise for children (4 votes) Average
drug test for welfare (17 votes) Average
Issue Card (2 votes) Average
the free solution to terror (5 votes) Weak
Gun Toting... Liberals? (17 votes) Strong
increasing oil prices (8 votes) Weak
Election securitization (2 votes) Average
WHAT Causing The Housing Meltd (1 votes) Average
Multi-party system (8 votes) Average
Open Source Government (3 votes) Average
Voluntary Government (11 votes) Very weak
One year trial (3 votes) Weak
Immigration Control (4 votes) Average
New American Flag (14 votes) Very weak
United countries of World(2) (4 votes) Average
Starting a new country (9 votes) Average
War on Terror (5 votes) Weak
True Democracy (10 votes) Weak
A dirty affair (8 votes) Weak
Politicians and the solution (5 votes) Weak
Alternatives to queueing--Iraq (3 votes) Average
United Countries of Earth (8 votes) Weak
Censor the media (13 votes) Very weak
Peace In The Middle East (9 votes) Weak
Mental Illness in Politics (3 votes) Weak
Negative Voting (7 votes) Weak
Vote Out (1 votes) Average
Eric Muller For President (4 votes) Weak
Double-lock democracy (3 votes) Weak
HUGE needle (25 votes) Very weak
Internet Voting (4 votes) Average
A Standard Scale for Politics (6 votes) Average
Immigration and The Military (7 votes) Average
Campaign Funds (2 votes) Average
International Economy (6 votes) Weak
*For-Profit Prison Education (12 votes) Strong
Adopt a Country (4 votes) Average
Better Voting Machine (4 votes) Average
Centrist party (11 votes) Strong
AidMarket (2 votes) Average
Immigration business (2 votes) Average
Ultra Marines / Russian Navy (3 votes) Weak
Divide and Rule (3 votes) Average
Intention Taxing (1 votes) Average
Social venture Tax Change (1 votes) Average
Show the Budget (1 votes) Average
IPDB (4 votes) Average
Special Interest Disarmament (3 votes) Average
Trace Federal Budget (3 votes) Average
Legislative Pay (4 votes) Weak
Incentives For Politicians (3 votes) Weak
Comments from other members:

Add your comment

This isnt really an incentive. Presidents, for example, give up huge amounts of potential income to become president. Maybe not all their income, but almost all could make more in private life than public life.

mithryll1, Nov 10 2003