tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1089082204850170942.post4338409164381696408..comments2024-03-21T12:52:08.166+11:00Comments on Freedom and Flourishing: Can democracy protect liberty?Winton Bateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07383561940886657594noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1089082204850170942.post-63580789020675785032012-07-22T19:30:09.848+10:002012-07-22T19:30:09.848+10:00kvd: I like the idea of sunset clauses.
I wonder...kvd: I like the idea of sunset clauses. <br /><br />I wonder how it would be possible to introduce changes of the kind you have in mind. There is a legal question - I'm not sure whether it can be done by just passing a law. Even if it can be, you would need bi-partisan support to ensure it wasn't just repealed by the next government.<br /><br />So, that makes me wonder what rules would be more likely to obtain support of the major parties. Perhaps some kind of automatic sunset a decade ahead for some classes of legislation - perhaps defined by a parliamentary committee - might have some chance of acceptance.<br /><br />I might take a look at how sunset provisions operate elsewhere in the world.Winton Bateshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07383561940886657594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1089082204850170942.post-49171639103003389412012-07-22T14:22:16.649+10:002012-07-22T14:22:16.649+10:00Hello Winton - nice post!
The following is a litt...Hello Winton - nice post!<br /><br />The following is a little off-topic, but I've been meaning to ask your opinion on what follows for some time...<br /><br />One of the things I'm quite taken with in terms of renewing/reinvigorating democratic states is the concept of a 'sunset clause' on legislation. But I don't mean all legislation; more perhaps the establishment of an absolute right of <i>any parliamentarian</i> to nominate that a piece of legislation is to contain either a 'review date' or even an expiry date. This would not be subject to a vote; I mean it to be an <i>absolute</i> right to nominate that such a clause be included.<br /><br />I see this as a means whereby, should a change of government occur, the incoming government is bound to at least consider the need for perpetuating its predecessor's legislation - and hence is joined into accountability for the continuation.<br /><br />Perhaps you could even involve citizens' referenda in the process, whereby, if a significant portion of the electorate (say, a petition equal to two thirds of the present government fptp mandate) demanded a piece of legislation be reviewed, it must be re-considered in the current parliamentary session?<br /><br />Anyway, just thoughts you provoked on a wet and windy Sunday - and thank you again for the post.<br /><br />kvdAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com