Every election, regardless of the winner, ends with a nation divided. Old and young, men and women, rich and poor... elections divide us. But are elections really a necessary part of a democracy? Alexander Guerrero doesn't think so. In place of elections, we should appoint our political officials by lottery. While such a claim may on the surface appear unrealistic or outright dangerous, we should remember that the jury system, vital to the carrying out of the rule of law, works in a similar way. Government by lottery has a vast history, and with strict frameworks in place to play roles comparable to judges and the prosecution/defence in the system of law, Guerrero argues, it just might work. And at least, he argues, it is better than our current system, in which we approach a political, and existential, precipice every four years – the precipice we approached last week.

Here in 2024 in America, half of us threaten the other half (and possibly the world) with disaster.  We do this every two and four years.  Preventing disaster is of great moral importance.  We all should do our utmost to accomplish that.  So, vote, and get others to vote.

But why is it so hard to do anything more?  Why is the positive political vision so meagre?  Why is our experience of political community so much like being trapped on a boat with a tiger?  Fear, even dread, danger at every turn, our attention and energy devoted to outmaneuvering a wild, nearly incomprehensible force that in turn ignores us or aims to do us harm.