What, why, how, and who.
This section holds the detailed record on Mandate Democracy®: what the initiative is, why governance integrity must be restored, the public evidence behind both, and how the operation runs. If you have questions beyond what is here, call the Foundation at 703-277-7777 or find us through Follow Us.
The reference file, in four parts.
Read this page for the overview, then take the four studies in order. Each measures one piece of the case with public data.
An initiative for participatory Mandate Democracy™.
- Federal-level Initiative & Referenda, organized by Caltech alumni and other participating institutions
- Citizen-initiated: no "ballot access barriers," petitions, or legislative and special-interest money
- Enabled by cutting-edge IT: blockchain online voting, cyber-security, big-data analytics
- Derived from developed, pilot-tested ballots with the Senate Budget Committee
- Rigorous design, control, and analysis to advance the state of the art of democracy
- A platform for faculty research and scholarly contributions, U.S. and international
- An inevitable, emerging political technology paradigm
Non-partisan, fact-based information and action.
- Referenda on specific propositions, prepared for executive and legislative action
- Pledges and accountability from candidates and officials for post-election implementation
- Constitutionally grounded in the principles of a democratic Republic
- Ballot issues: government integrity measures, budget allocations, policy concerns
- Factual public information published pre-election, with multi-media dissemination
- Pro, con, and consequences information on policy and budget options
- Integrated voter registration channels and Internet accessibility
Restore governance integrity. Replace obsolete democratic mechanics.
The United States has been downgraded to a "Flawed Democracy," citing poor electoral participation and "continued erosion of trust in government & elected officials" (International Democracy Index).
What governs instead is "aristocratic": a privileged, self-perpetuating, revolving-door ruling class. It is supported by "plutocracy," a small minority of the wealthiest interests. Together they degrade both the political and the economic marketplaces.
The ruling demographics are plutocrats, career politicians, party functionaries, and lawyer-lobbyists. The two-party business model runs on branding, propaganda, imagery, and sophistry: Mad Men marketing, sloganeering, demagoguery, staged rallies. "Play to your base" and dog-whistle the "Others," trading on cultural, racial, ethnic, religious, and gender prejudice. The result is intentional, fomented civic polarization for vote-pandering and fund-raising: scapegoating, the blame game, deadlock, and splintered factions-within-factions.
Trust has collapsed.
| 18% | trust government to "do the right thing," a historic low | Pew |
| 75% | say "government corruption widespread," the worst reading in any Western democracy | Gallup |
| 81% | say the "Federal Government is corrupt" | Rasmussen 2016 |
| No. 2 | issue for U.S. millennials: government and corruption, second only to inequality | World Ec. Forum 2018 |
A massive reservoir of dissatisfied citizens and animated public-interest groups.
| 71% | say Washington "does not represent people like yourself" | |
| 74% | say they're "Angry" at the "way the Parties are dealing with the country's problems" | |
| 78% | of independents say the parties "do such a poor job of representing the people" | |
| 42% | self-identify as "Independent": a plurality over Democrats (29%) and Republicans (26%), both historic lows | |
| 85% | of millennials say government is "run by a few big interests looking out for themselves and their friends," a view common to all demographics | Univ. of Chicago 2018 |
What causes government dysfunction?
Multiple choice. University of Maryland, 2017.
| 96% | pick money in politics, the most-chosen answer | Univ. of Maryland 2017 |
| 94% | pick big donors, the second most chosen | Univ. of Maryland 2017 |
| 93% | pick political extremists, third | Univ. of Maryland 2017 |
Why Caltech alumni?
They are a national resource and an objective leadership demographic. They bring credibility and trust as a source of information and of governance mechanics, and an engrained scientific ethos: "The Truth shall make you Free" is the Caltech motto. Analytical, skeptical, conscientious, informed, motivated.
I never submitted the whole system of my opinions to the creed of any party of men…where I was capable of thinking for myself.
— Thomas Jefferson
The public agrees. Scientists are the top institution trusted by millennials, at 57%. Public trust in scientists (a fair or great deal) stands at 76%, second only to the military. And 80% say it is very or somewhat "important for elected officials to listen to scientists."
Confidence they act in the public interest
Great deal or fair amount. Pew, 2016.
| 84% | say medical scientists, the highest of any category | Pew 2016 |
| 79% | say the military | Pew 2016 |
| 76% | say scientists | Pew 2016 |
| 27% | say elected officials, the lowest category measured | Pew 2016 |
Local administration in 435 congressional districts.
- National expansion for online voting in conjunction with the 2020 elections
- Locally adaptable web i-vote modules, all cyber-secure, transparent, auditable
- Alumni and representatives as the local anchor: coordination, oversight, and officials' accountability
- Active collaboration with university political science and technology programs
- Single-choice or priority-scaled, ranked voting to gauge breadth and intensity of support
- Online voting blockchain and n-programming modules adapted to electoral districts
- Votes cast within a 45-day window ending on Election Day
- Built on official Registered Voter Lists: encoded, protected, One Person/One Vote
- Integral, locally qualified voter registration channels
Connect an informed electorate with actual government outcomes.
- Federal-level "I&R" in 435 congressional districts, held with regular elections
- Referenda votes on governance, budget priorities, critical issues, recall
- Citizen-initiated "Mandates" imposed on candidates and officials
- Public voice to overcome entrenched party and special interests
- Surmount gridlock, factionalism, and failed governance
- Promote voter education, participation, a true Democratic Republic
- Technology enabled: web-based blockchain, cyber-secure, transparent
- Mandated measures for government integrity, policies, budget, issues
- Politically welcomed: a platform plank for candidates and elected officials
- Citizen initiative: no partisan, ideological, or corporate agendas
- Coalition network: Caltech alumni, universities, public-interest groups
- Operating roots: national infrastructure, by congressional district
- A source for companion, trustworthy, fact-based voter information
- Enhanced voter registration plus Internet accessibility
- A platform for multi-disciplinary academic research
Start with the first measure.
How much of the electorate actually puts winners in office? The arithmetic of "Electoral Mass" is where the case begins.