Normally, there are two sources of issues here: petitions can in fact be declined, and, in cases where the signature count depends on scale of the petition they can be intentionally escalated as to make it impossible to gain enough signatures. Besides, in many cases petitions can be left unanswered for longer than promised.

Long story short, the system is open to shenanigans and doesn't make the government truly accountable.

We need the system that would actually make politicians rapidly lose their jobs when they ignore public opinion.

[–] brbposting@sh.itjust.works 4 points 6 months ago (1 children)

Good detailed response :)

make politicians rapidly lose their jobs when they ignore public opinion.

Under such conditions, would the US have ended slavery or enacted the Civil Rights Act?

[–] Allero@lemmy.today 2 points 6 months ago

Completely depends on who is allowed to vote.

If slaves would have a vote, they'd certainly strongly choose one option :D

Same for the discriminated groups.

If they don't have a vote, this depends on the rest of society in the short run, but can cause violent rebellions in the long one. Democratic system does not eliminate possibility of revolt.