The Lottery

In this episode of “Unrigged”, we explore the roots of democracy in ancient Athens where a democratic lottery replaced elections. What if we used this method today and selected ordinary people to tackle political issues? Research shows diverse perspectives are crucial for problem-solving. Citizens’ assemblies exemplify this approach by gathering a diverse group of people to address specific issues. We follow a real assembly in Halifax where 35 individuals from Nova Scotia use lived experiences to develop consensus recommendations on primary care. Unlike our governments, these assemblies offer a truly representative sample of society, fostering innovation and strengthening democracy by prioritising inclusivity.