As posted in comments to Joi Ito’s blog…
Much of our “electronic democracy” discussion focuses on processes of organizing, deliberation and decision-making.
However, in the US, an elected representative spends 80% of his or her time — not deliberating, or organizing, or making laws — but raising money.
Any proposal for new ways of doing things needs to take money into account.
Recently, I heard of a new system for online political organizing, which was essentially multi-level marketing. A central organization sends financial targets to regional organizations, which sends targets to local organizations, which raise money and feed the money back up the chain.
Are new proposed mechanisms of organizing cheaper that the methods we have now? If not then we’re stuck in the oligopoly trap.
Emergent democracy and money politics
Adina writes about emergent democracy and politcal fundraising It’s important to remember that fundraising is a means to an end…