Post #4153597

@Herefordrob@mindly.social I understand the concern. Governments can become insulated, centralized and unresponsive. But that is an argument for stronger democratic controls, not for eliminating elected representation entirely. Civil servants possess expertise and continuity, but they also wield considerable power. Without elected institutions oversight, who sets their mandate, resolves competing public priorities, approves taxation and spending, or removes those ultimately responsible when things go wrong? Citizen assemblies can improve deliberation and challenge political hierarchies, especially when they are truly representative, independent and empowered. I see them as a valuable *complement* to proportional legislatures, not as a substitute for democratic institutions that citizens can regularly elect, scrutinize and dismiss as required.