Do We Need an Upgrade to Our Governance System?

A thought experiment for a fairer tomorrow

Throughout the centuries, forms of government have constantly shifted, changing only their labels. Yet for the average person—regardless of whether they were rich or poor—the difference has often been minimal. Even under communist regimes, people worked for a crust of bread while the party elite lived in luxury without doing any real work.

Nowadays, with information reaching us at lightning speed, we can see the gap between the rich and the poor widening into a deep chasm. Countries are in debt, people are in debt, and a small group is becoming obscenely wealthy. We are on the verge of mass robotization, which will inevitably leave many without a livelihood, leading to unpredictable consequences. History remembers such moments—when the majority is fighting just to survive, the system begins to break down.

Even if we invent a "new" system with a fancy name, it will not differ significantly from the current ones unless we solve the fundamental problem: the lack of control over public funds. Without effective management of tax money, it is impossible to build functional infrastructure. Today, there is talk of digitizing money. As a concept, it is fine, even hygienic. But the risk that someone "above" could stop your transactions whenever and wherever they want destroys the last shred of security for people.

Bureaucracy is growing all over the world. Today’s working person, besides supporting their family, must also support an increasingly heavy state machine. This discontent will escalate soon. The problem is that voters are losing hope in politicians. The guilt is mutual—politicians promise prosperity, but once they take power, they do whatever they want. People, on the other hand, are often passive, waiting for the term to end, hoping for a change that never comes. Such behavior is the trap of modern democracy.

The Western world prides itself on its system, but its closet is full of skeletons. Rules, rules, and more rules—every single day, they restrict our freedoms. What is the way out? We must accept that democracy is not guaranteed justice, but merely an opportunity for correction. Where should we "push" and where should we "pull" to make the pyramid stable?

John Kenneth Galbraith once said, "Under capitalism, man exploits man." Under communism, it’s the opposite. "This remains a painful truth, regardless of how you look at it. And Karl Marx added: "No one fights against freedom; one fights at most against the freedom of others." The second part is a matter of upbringing, but the first is an axiom.

What I see as a better system is not a revolution with barricades but a repair of the mechanisms. For politicians, such a change would mean limiting their power, but for society, it would be a breath of fresh air.

Here are my three "small" corrections:

1. Parties remain, but with a narrow focus: let them fight for ideas and management; let them manage the ministries, but with limited powers.

2. Independent Justice and Security:

   • Ministry of Justice: Senior officials in the judiciary must be elected directly by the people, via majority vote for each region. Justice should not depend on party appointments.

   • Army and Police: They cannot be under the thumb of parties and used as a weapon against the people. Their governing bodies must also be elected by majority vote and serve as direct control over the executive branch.

3. Direct Democracy via Electronic Referendums: Establishing an independent organization (of about 100 experts) to administer electronic referendums on critical issues: removing ministers/presidents from office, changing laws, or cutting bureaucracy. Voting must be mandatory for every citizen—this way, everyone takes responsibility for their choice and the consequences that follow.

These three steps can significantly improve the quality of life. We cannot please everyone, but the majority will be satisfied. The enterprising person will still succeed, and the lazy person will still suffer the consequences of their choice—but at least we will have a foundation for justice. Because today we see what is happening: parties only care about themselves and their sponsors, while the people receive nothing but empty promises.  

Author: Sezgin Ismailov