On the eve of the highly anticipated 2024 presidential debate, public trust in the government is at an all-time low. Despite officials’ efforts to ensure election integrity, there may be a better solution to preserving the integrity of public office – getting rid of elections altogether. This may sound anti-democratic, but if we look back to the ancient Greeks, they implemented a form of democracy where government officials were chosen through a random lottery. In the United States, we already utilize a form of lottery to select jurors, so why not extend this concept to mayors, governors, legislators, justices, and even presidents?
Many people assume that leaders chosen at random would be less effective than those selected through a system. Surprisingly, studies led by psychologist Alexander Haslam suggest the opposite. Groups actually made smarter decisions when their leaders were chosen randomly rather than being elected or selected based on leadership skills. So why were randomly chosen leaders more effective? It turns out that they tended to adopt a more democratic leadership style. When leaders are systematically selected, they often assert their personal superiority, which can undermine group goals. On the other hand, when leaders are chosen randomly, they lack the power that can corrupt an individual. This leads to a heightened sense of responsibility and a greater focus on representing the group. Furthermore, in situations where a leader was picked randomly, group members were more likely to support the decisions made by the group.
When considering the implementation of sortition, current members of Congress raise concerns about the ability of randomly chosen citizens to effectively govern. However, we can adopt some practices from ancient Athens to address this. In Athens, citizens had the option to participate in the lottery, but they also had to pass an examination demonstrating their capacity to fulfill public rights and duties. We can adopt a similar approach in America, where those who wish to enter the pool must pass a civics test, the same standard required of immigrants applying for citizenship. In doing so, we would have leaders who possess a solid understanding of the Constitution.
One major advantage of using a lottery to select leaders is that it improves our chances of avoiding candidates with dark triad personality traits, which includes narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy. These traits are commonly found in individuals with a willingness to exploit others for personal gain. Unfortunately, these traits often attract political ambition, and studies have shown that candidates with high psychopathy scores perform better in elections. Furthermore, presidents assessed as having psychopathic and narcissistic tendencies have been found to be more persuasive with the public. By eliminating the voting system, we reduce the likelihood of dark triad candidates rising to power.
Implementing sortition also addresses issues of representation. A lottery system provides a fair chance for individuals who may not fit the traditional profile of a leader, such as those who are not tall enough or not male enough. It also opens opportunities for people who lack connections or wealth to run for office. Our current campaign finance system favors the rich and powerful, making it difficult for those without money or influence to have a voice. Research suggests that individuals from low-income families are often more effective leaders and less likely to engage in unethical behavior, as they are less prone to narcissism and entitlement.
Switching to sortition would not only address these concerns, but also result in significant cost savings. The 2020 elections alone cost over $14 billion. By eliminating campaigns, we eliminate the need for special interest funding. Additionally, a lottery system would eliminate issues like gerrymandering and disputes over the Electoral College. Instead of questioning the accuracy of ballot counts, we could watch the lottery live, similar to the NBA draft lottery.
Many other countries have already recognized the potential of sortition. Canadian provinces and the Dutch government have been using sortition to create citizens’ assemblies that generate ideas for improving democracy. France, Britain, and Germany have also employed lotteries to select citizens to work on climate change policies. Ireland even tried a hybrid model, involving politicians and randomly chosen citizens in their constitutional convention. Sortition has even been implemented in schools in Bolivia, where student council elections have been replaced with lotteries. This allows a wider range of students to exercise leadership and solve real problems.
As America approaches its 250th birthday, it is time to reconsider our approach to selecting officials and renew our commitment to democracy. The essence of democracy lies in the active participation of its citizens, and there is nothing more democratic than providing an equal opportunity for all to lead. By adopting a lottery system, we can preserve the integrity of public office, reduce the influence of dark triad traits, improve representation, save money, and eliminate issues like gerrymandering and disputes over the Electoral College. It’s time to roll the dice and embrace a new approach to leadership selection.
Adam Grant is an organizational psychologist and author who strongly advocates for a lottery-based system. He understands the importance of diverse perspectives and welcomes readers to share their thoughts on this matter. The New York Times Opinion section encourages diversity and welcomes letters to the editor. You can reach out and share your views at [email protected]. Stay updated with the latest from the Opinion section by following them on Facebook, Twitter (@NYTopinion), and Instagram.
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