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The places are set, you are either at the crease or trying to get the other lot out. The crowd clap politely, but are passive observers. The whole thing is meticulously adjudicated, and at 4pm everything stops for tea. Oh, and if you don't understand it, that's your fault for being a lout, not the game's fault for being incomprehensible. (And it's no coincidence that the only ex-colony that doesn't have a version of our nice parliamentary system ... doesn't play cricket).
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I have written a short pamphlet, setting out some of the theoretical considerations and the challenges our political system is facing. My basic line of argument is: elected politicians are good at leadership and strategic direction. They are also accountable in a very specific way. But we should find other democratically legitimate ways to scrutinise and develop public policy by greater participation of the collective.
If we ever needed rain to stop play, we need it now. And, instead of returning to the old rules, we should allow a new set to evolve. Change from outside is already adding pressure to the highly select group who currently make decisions on our behalf. The model is changing. |