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How do you select a citizens’ assembly without holding an election?

How could a group of ordinary citizens broadly reflect a country without running for office? Citizens' assemblies can use civic lotteries, or sortition, to invite randomly selected people and then select from volunteers against demographic criteria. The result aims for a cross-section of the population rather than an elected chamber or an unrestricted sign-up list.

4–5 min

Questions you could explore

  • What does each selection stage contribute?
  • Why does demographic resemblance not guarantee every opinion is represented?

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Politics and society

Why are some constitutions so much harder to change than others?

A constitution is meant to outlast the government of the day, yet it also needs a way to adapt when society changes. Some countries require supermajorities in parliament, others demand a national referendum, and a few make certain clauses completely unamendable. Designing an amendment rule means balancing stability against the risk of locking future generations into the past.

4–6 min

Why are some constitutions so much harder to change than others?

Politics and society4–6 minA constitution is meant to outlast the government of the day, yet it also needs a way to adapt when society changes. Some countries require supermajorities in parliament, others demand a national referendum, and a few make certain clauses completely unamendable. Designing an amendment rule means balancing stability against the risk of locking future generations into the past.

Politics and society

How ranked-choice voting turns second choices into winners

Ranked ballots can transfer when a candidate is eliminated; some proportional systems also transfer surplus votes after a candidate is elected. A ranking can therefore matter beyond the first choice. Explore how different counting rules use those preferences, rather than assuming every ranked-choice system follows the same procedure.

5–7 min

How ranked-choice voting turns second choices into winners

Politics and society5–7 minRanked ballots can transfer when a candidate is eliminated; some proportional systems also transfer surplus votes after a candidate is elected. A ranking can therefore matter beyond the first choice. Explore how different counting rules use those preferences, rather than assuming every ranked-choice system follows the same procedure.

Politics and society

How two EU institutions agree a law

Under the EU’s ordinary legislative procedure, a proposal must become a text that both the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union accept. The route brings representatives of citizens and national governments into the same law-making process.

4–5 min

How two EU institutions agree a law

Politics and society4–5 minUnder the EU’s ordinary legislative procedure, a proposal must become a text that both the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union accept. The route brings representatives of citizens and national governments into the same law-making process.

How do you select a citizens’ assembly without holding an election? | Speech Topic | speaking.app