Elections give the wrong kind of civic education
Student government is meant to introduce young people to democracy and develop tomorrow’s leaders. In practice, however, school elections exclude all but the most popular, charismatic, and high-achieving students from actively participating.
Elections incorrectly teach young people that there are a few natural-born leaders, and that for the rest democracy simply means casting an occasional vote.
We wouldn’t use a popularity contest to decide which few students get to learn math or history, so why do we do this with leadership and civic education?
Elections give the wrong kind of civic education
Student government is meant to introduce young people to democracy and develop tomorrow’s leaders. In practice, however, school elections exclude all but the most popular, charismatic, and high-achieving students from actively participating.
Elections incorrectly teach young people that there are a few natural-born leaders, and that for the rest democracy simply means casting an occasional vote.
We wouldn’t use a popularity contest to decide which few students get to learn math or history, so why do we do this with leadership and civic education?
Elections give the wrong kind of civic education
Student government is meant to introduce young people to democracy and develop tomorrow’s leaders. In practice, however, school elections exclude all but the most popular, charismatic, and ambitious students from actively participating.
Elections incorrectly teach young people that there are a few natural-born leaders, and that for the rest democracy simply means casting an occasional vote.
We wouldn’t use a popularity contest to decide which few students get to learn math or history, so why do we do this with leadership and civic education?
There's a better way
We’re reinventing student government with:
Student Lotteries
Replacing elections with lotteries gives all students an equal opportunity to meaningfully participate
Rotation
Shorter terms of office allow more students to be involved
Horizontal Teamwork
Working together as equals provides a richer and more equitable educational experience
There's a better way
We're reinventing student government with:
Lotteries
Replacing elections with lotteries gives all students an equal opportunity to meaningfully participate
Rotation
Shorter terms of office allow more students to be involved
Horizontal Teamwork
Working horizontally creates a richer and more equitable experience
But don't young people need to learn how politics is done?
Young people need to learn the skills that will help them be capable, responsible citizens:
- Active listening and critical thinking
- Advocating on behalf of others
- Planning and executing projects
- Facilitating meetings
And elections aren’t the only way to do democracy!
The ancient Athenians used lotteries to fill most public offices, and there’s growing recognition across the world that lotteries and other democratic innovations can help address the failings of electoral politics.
But don't young people need to learn how politics is done?
Young people need to learn the skills that will help them be capable, responsible citizens:
- Active listening and critical thinking
- Advocating on behalf of others
- Planning and executing projects
- Facilitating meetings
It's time to take action!
Get involved at your school
Are you a student? Teacher? Principal? Parent? We have a toolkit and other resources to help you reinvent your student government.
Support our work
We are a small non-profit that relies on donations from people like you to transform leadership and civic education.
See other uses of these practices
Frustrated by conventional politics? Find out about innovative ways practices like random selection are being used all over the world!
Have a question? Are you from a grant-making organization? Are you a member of the press? Contact us!
It's time to take action!
Get involved at your school
Are you a student? Teacher? Principal? Parent? We have a toolkit and other resources to help you reinvent your student government.
Support our work
We are a small non-profit that relies on donations from people like you to transform leadership and civic education.
See other uses of these practices
Frustrated by conventional politics? Find out about innovative ways practices like random selection are being used all over the world!
Have a question? Are you from a grant-making organization? Are you a member of the press? Contact us!
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