INTEREST GROUP MEDIATION
As society becomes more complex and polarized, 200-year-old legislative processes lose effectiveness. Current legislators are less able to become experts on all issues and increasingly rely on advocacy groups to inform public debate.
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What if highly technical or divisive issues were redirected to a facilitated negotiation process? If opposing sides of a policy issue agree on a solution, their agreement could be submitted to the legislature for an up-or-down vote.
This process would retain the role of elected officials in safeguarding the overall public good while shifting the burden of difficult debates to interested organizations. Interest group mediation could supplement the typical public debate process for any legislative body.
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To find out how this process can improve governmental decision-making email us at nate@outsideinnovation.org.
However, instead of limiting freedom of expression, advocacy is redirected
After spending a certain amount, interest groups are compelled into a facilitated negotiation
To prevent the need for further lobbying while allowing politicians to protect the public interest, the agreement is submitted to the legislature to be voted up or down.
However, instead of limiting freedom of expression, advocacy is redirected