are town meeting an effective way to govern?

Answer 1

Effective? No. More effective than most other forms? Yes. It's almost impossible to utter government and effective in the same breath.

Answer 2

In theory, absolutely. The problem is that they only work well if the population is small. Imagine what a "town meeting" for New York City would be like!

So we end up with a system of representatives--because that's the only feasible alternaative. That, however, brings with it its own set of problems. Handing over the power to speak officially for us also involves handing over a great deal of power generally. Keeping our representatives both in touch with their constituents and accountable is a problem that has never been fully solved.

On the bright side--the Internet is making it possible for individuals to make themselves heard as at no previous time in history--and while I don't see how we could have a true "town meeting" government in a nation of 300 million people, it certainly means that we as citizens now have powerful tools to hold our representatives accountable as never before.

Answer 3

It depends on how you define "effective." If you mean that people interested in an issue show up and vote to decide a question, for the most part town meetings are very effective.

If you mean that most of the voters in a town will show up, discuss the question and then vote, so more than an interested minority decide issues, no, they are not very effective.

Answer 4

Most people are groomed from birth to be in politics look at John Kerry.. the one that are not are either war hero's or have made enough money to wast for a hard fought campaign...this is millions the common man will never be president again...

Answer 5

No.