Lecture Summary: Leicesterland as a Metaphor for American Democracy

Introduction

• Leicesterland: A metaphorical nation similar to the United States.
  • Population: 311 million, with 144,000 named Lester (0.05%).
  • Two elections: General Election and Leicester Election.
    • General Election: Citizens vote.
    • Leicester Election: Leicesters vote; candidates must perform well here to run in the General Election.

Key Concepts

• Democracy in Leicesterland
  • People have ultimate influence as proclaimed by the Supreme Court in Citizens United.
  • Dependency on both Leicesters and the general populace.

United States as Leicesterland

• Two Elections in the U.S.:
  • General Election: Citizens vote.
  • Money Election: Funders vote; candidates must do well here to run in the General Election.
• Statistics:
  • 0.26% of Americans gave $200+ to federal candidates (2010).
  • 0.05% gave the maximum amount.
  • Extreme reliance on a small number of funders (0.05% analogous to "Lesters").

Implications of Funders' Influence

• Candidates adjust their behavior to cater to funders.
• Congress members spend 30-70% of their time fundraising.
• Dependency shifts from the public to funders, resulting in a representative democracy corruption.

Problems in Current Democracy

• Corruption:
  • Perfectly legal but deviates from the framers' vision.
  • Competing dependencies create a conflict between citizens' interests and funders' interests.
• Bipartisan Issue:
  • Affects both left and right, blocks meaningful reforms.

Proposed Solutions

• Change Fundraising Dynamics:
  • Decrease reliance on a small group and spread influence wider.
  • Implement small-dollar funded elections and citizen-funded campaigns.
• Legislative Proposals:
  • Fair Elections Now Act, American Anti-Corruption Act, Grant and Franklin Project, Grassroots Democracy Act.

Challenges and Hope

• Difficult but not impossible:
  • Changing incentives can alter behavior.
  • Examples from states like Connecticut show potential for change.
• Importance of Citizen Engagement:
  • Need to care about the nation beyond political affiliations.
  • Act to regain the republic as a representative democracy.

Conclusion

• Call to Action:
  • Reflect on personal commitment to the country's future.
  • Remember Benjamin Franklin's words about the fragility and responsibility of maintaining a republic.

Overall Message:

• The concept of Leicesterland is a critical metaphor for understanding the challenges of American democracy. The focus is on the disproportionate influence of funders akin to Leicester’s, and the need for electoral reform to return to a government dependent upon the people alone.