How can we best instill long term thinking in the democratic political process?

One of the driving forces at the inception of The Long Now Foundation was
how to balance the short sightedness of next election thinking. While many
countries in the world now enjoy a democratically elected government, that
same government can limit long term success. There is a paradox in the
process of regular elections that currently removes reward for good long
term thinking. Any project that is longer than an election term, is by
definition not in an elected officials best interest. Yet if we lengthen
terms too long, the danger of stagnation and cronyism looms even larger than
it does today. So how do we enter long term thinking into this process?
Cow do we solve problems like hunger, education, poverty and environmental
damage when the returns on these problems are so far out?

PLAN*B Referendum by >> The Long Now Foundation

How can we best instill long term thinking in the democratic political process?

Votes

By extending the constitution with a political plan that can be re-negotiated after say 10 years
 

3

more public referendums
 

3

anarchism
 

1

Trough Meritocracy
 

1

the problem will disappear by itself when humans become immortal
 

1

Comments

"We need to let the people to decide over their own and their children's future."

Selection: more public referendums (Female, 32 years)

"Meritocracy is probably the most efficient way of instilling long term thinking in the political process, apart from dictatorship. Simply put: the most experienced rules. It resembles the traditional model of a council of elders. Please note that I do not myself support such a model."

Selection: Trough Meritocracy (Male, 40 years)

"Except for anarcho-capitalism, most forms of anarchism are defending collective freedoms and are against oppressive violence. This is applied democracy at any organisational level."

Selection: anarchism (Male, 41 years)

"The proposal suggests that a new set of long term political plans should be voted on every tenth year, which could be seen as a updateable amendment to the constitution. This vote is in praxis a long list of referendas which outlines goals that should be achieved by the end of that ten year period. Each goal needs f.ex. 60% of the votes to be valid. Traditional parliament elections can be held every fourth year but they are accountable for the people to acheive these goals."

Selection: By extending the constitution with a political plan that can be re-negotiated after say 10 years (Male, 40 years)

"The politicians must change the approach and become adviser instead of decision-makers. More public referendums gives more responsibility to the people and, thereby a better long term thinking."

Selection: more public referendums (Male, 36 years)