Ordinary People to Draft New Constitution

(in Iceland)

I thought this was interesting.

REYKJAVIK, Iceland – Iceland's getting a new constitution — and it's really going to be the voice of the people.
The sparsely-populated volcanic island is holding an unusual election Saturday to select ordinary citizens to cobble together a new charter, an exercise in direct democracy born out of the outrage and soul-searching that followed the nation's economic meltdown.
Hundreds of people are vying for the chance to be among up to 31 people who will form the Constitutional Assembly slated to convene early next year — a source of huge pride for Icelanders who have seen their egos take a beating in recent years.
"This is the first time in the history of the world that a nation's constitution is reviewed in such a way, by direct democratic process," says Berghildur Erla Bergthorsdottir, spokeswoman for the committee entrusted with organizing the Constitutional Assembly.

Source

[Saikou7]

I'm not sure how I feel about this. On one hand, it is great they have such a strong hand in their government, but is direct democracy the best way to do it?

Anything could be ratified into their Constitution with a little collectivism mentality and disregard for others.

Originally Posted by Saikou7

I'm not sure how I feel about this. On one hand, it is great they have such a strong hand in their government, but is direct democracy the best way to do it?

Anything could be ratified into their Constitution with a little collectivism mentality and disregard for others.

They have a pretty small population (just over 300,000). For them it will work. It wouldn't work for a country the size of the US..or even the size of Ireland.

[Saikou7]

Originally Posted by Steven

They have a pretty small population (just over 300,000). For them it will work. It wouldn't work for a country the size of the US..or even the size of Ireland.

Well with a population that size, it could be done.
I agree, some like that could never be done somewhere with a larger population.
Direct democracy gets less efficient with more people.

Anyway, thats great for them!

I don't believe in direct democracy. But good luck to them.