Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Top Stories

Liquid democracy

Liquid democracy
Getty Images

Leland R. Beaumont is an independent wisdom researcher who is seeking real good. He is currently developing the Applied Wisdom curriculum on Wikiversity.

Direct democracy is impractical. Representative democracy has contributed to the trouble we are in. Liquid democracy may be just the right governance model we need to move forward.


Liquid democracy is an innovative approach to delegated democracy, enabling the electorate to engage in collective decision-making through direct participation and dynamic representation. This democratic system combines the best elements of both direct and representative democracy.

In a liquid democracy, voters enjoy the freedom to directly vote on all policy issues, similar to direct democracy. Additionally, they have the option to delegate their votes to trusted individuals who can vote on their behalf, akin to representative democracy. These delegated votes, often referred to as "proxies," can further delegate their voting power, creating a concept known as “metadelegation.” This fluid process allows any individual to receive delegated votes and pass on both their own votes and those entrusted to them, fostering a flexible and inclusive decision-making framework.

This diagram illustrates how this might work on a national scale.



We see legislation being developed from left to right across the top of the diagram, and below that we see the involvement of individuals and organizations engaged as voters throughout the process.

In this example, an idea (represented by the lightbulb on the upper left) inspires the Sierra Club to draft (red arrow) a proposal for specific environmental legislation. Drafting legislation that considers a wide range of relevant viewpoints and is effective over the short term and long term is often a difficult task that may involve dedicated experts working over an extended period of time. This draft proposal is then shared, and the public is invited to submit comments (represented by several gold arrows). This comment period can take many forms. It may be the traditional mode where freeform comments are offered. It may also take a form similar to the talk pages used on Wikipedia or it might be an opinion poll regarding some provisions of the draft proposal. These comments are integrated into a final version of the legislation which is then put to a vote. If the vote passes, the legislation becomes law.

Voting in a liquid democracy engages the people without requiring politicians. Any individual can vote (shown by a purple arrow) on any issue, as illustrated by the purple woman in the bottom row. More typically, however, individuals will assign their proxy (shown by a blue arrow) to expert organizations that are aligned with the voters’ values.

For example, we see one group of people who have assigned their proxy directly to the Sierra Club, another group who assigned their proxy to the National Rifle Association, and yet another group who assigned their proxy to the Union of Concerned Scientists. Proxies can be cascaded. For example, the group on the left assigned their proxy to Clean Ocean Action, who in turn has assigned its proxy to the Sierra Club. Each vote is weighted by the aggregate number of proxies the voting organization has attracted. Proxy assignments are dynamic and can be easily changed by voters at any time. This holds the voting organizations accountable directly to the people. Voting organizations communicate often to attract proxy assignments and keep their constituents informed of their work and policy positions. Information is shared continuously to guide voters in updating their proxy choices and to inform on-going dialogues regarding the issues.

Liquid democracy can engage voters and represent their preferences more accurately than our present form of representative democracy.

The concepts of liquid democracy can be applied at any scale. We can get started by using liquid democracy to run staff meetings, elect school board members, decide local government issues, and in any other governance context.

Read More

Celebrating Congressional Excellence: Democracy Awards 2025
United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.

Celebrating Congressional Excellence: Democracy Awards 2025

In a moment of bipartisan celebration, the Congressional Management Foundation (CMF) will honor the winners of its 2025 Democracy Awards, spotlighting congressional offices that exemplify outstanding public service, operational excellence, and innovation in governance.

The ceremony, scheduled for this Thursday, September 18, 2025, in Washington, D.C., will recognize both Republican and Democratic offices across multiple categories, reinforcing the idea that excellence in Congress transcends party lines.

Keep ReadingShow less
Political Assassinations Are Part of the “Constitutional Rot” That Afflicts America
Gen Z and the Dangerous Allure of Political Violence
Gen Z and the Dangerous Allure of Political Violence

Political Assassinations Are Part of the “Constitutional Rot” That Afflicts America

Americans are learning that democracy is a fragile thing. If it is taken for granted, it can wither almost imperceptibly.

Signs of that withering are everywhere. I won’t rehearse them here.

Keep ReadingShow less
Meacham: Political Violence in America Linked to Deep Questions of Identity and Inclusion

"Who is an American? Who deserves to be included in ‘We the people" - Jon Meacham

AI generated illustration

Meacham: Political Violence in America Linked to Deep Questions of Identity and Inclusion

In a sobering segment aired on CBS Sunday Morning, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Jon Meacham addressed the escalating wave of political violence in the United States and its implications for the future of American democracy. Speaking with journalist Robert Costa, Meacham reflected on the recent assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and a string of violent incidents targeting political figures and institutions.

"We do not want to be in a place where, because you disagree with someone, you pick up a gun. That is not what the country can be. And if it is, then it's something different. It's not the America we want," he said.

Keep ReadingShow less
Two speech bubbles overlapping each other.

Political outrage is rising—but dismissing the other side’s anger deepens division. Learn why taking outrage seriously can bridge America’s partisan divide.

Getty Images, Richard Drury

Taking Outrage Seriously: Understanding the Moral Signals Behind Political Anger

Over the last several weeks, the Trump administration has deployed the National Guard to the nation’s capital to crack down on crime. While those on the right have long been aghast by rioting and disorder in our cities, pressing for greater military intervention to curtail it, progressive residents of D.C. have tirelessly protested the recent militarization of the city.

This recent flashpoint is a microcosm of the reciprocal outrage at the heart of contemporary American public life. From social media posts to street protests to everyday conversations about "the other side," we're witnessing unprecedented levels of political outrage. And as polarization has increased, we’ve stopped even considering the other political party’s concerns, responding instead with amusement and delight. Schadenfreude, or pleasure at someone else’s pain, is now more common than solidarity or empathy across party lines.

Keep ReadingShow less