Wednesday’s Big Idea
Today's Big Idea: Open-Source Government
The Arab Spring and Wikileaks are early indications of the possibility of a technology-driven politics that is more responsive to citizens' needs. It's axiomatic that once in power, leaders will do whatever they need to to remain in power, and rarely much beyond that. Using new communication channels to hold leaders accountable is just the start of what could become an entirely new approach to government.
At the same time, we face systemic challenges that aren't easily resolved via twitter. Perhaps it's time to reimagine core political structures that limit government responsiveness and precision –institutions like the United States' de-fact two party system, the electoral college, and the antiquated way we cast our votes. The goal? A more organic and useful government that's more aware of and responsive to the needs of its employers – average citizens.
