It should be a Crime to make False Election Promises

[Liberty and Linguistics]

With that logic, every politican should be in jail.

Look, many politicians are decent men and women. Election promises can't always come true. Often times, the idealism of politicians fades when they realize that elected office is all about compromise.

[Cenetra]

I propose that we make it a crime to break campaign promises. If a politician says while running for election, ''I will do X'' or ''I will try my best to do X'' or ''I will propose Agenda Y'' then he needs to do it once he is elected; if he doesn't, then he should face prosecution and face severe penalties.

A major factor contributing to political apathy and lack of voter turnout is the perception that politicians lie all the time and will break their campaign promises, that they will sell out to the system. This will act as a deterrence against that kind of unethical behaviour.

The goal is to promote honesty in politicians. After all, we hold corporations to certain standards (it is a crime to have false advertising) and individuals in the law of contracts to certain standards of honesty. What's so special about politicians? Why should politicians get to promise whatever they want to get elected and then break those promises with impunity?

Under the current system, there is a ''race to lie.'' Parties don't think they can get elected unless they make at least a few promises they don't intend to keep. Which is why we need a deterrent against that and a way to promote honesty and transparency.

It's also a good idea because it promotes accountability. Voters will better be able to gage which party to stand behind because they know that the parties will be very careful in making their promises. The system should end up rewarding parties that are more honest, practical, and thoughtful than under the current system. All of the misrepresentations under the current regime really undercut ideas of democratic accountability.

The major problem I see is that its entirely possible for a campaign promise to not be fulfilled because either it turns out to be infeasible, or other events cause it to become a lower priority. Also, since the ruling party is more likely to be able to be able to fulfill promises because the minority part generally can't force a bill through, a law like this would almost certainly end up being used as a weapon against the minority party, which would break the democratic process even further. This is especially true for a two-party state like the US.

[The Liberated Territories]

I propose that we make it a crime to break campaign promises. If a politician says while running for election, ''I will do X'' or ''I will try my best to do X'' or ''I will propose Agenda Y'' then he needs to do it once he is elected; if he doesn't, then he should face prosecution and face severe penalties.

A major factor contributing to political apathy and lack of voter turnout is the perception that politicians lie all the time and will break their campaign promises, that they will sell out to the system. This will act as a deterrence against that kind of unethical behaviour.

The goal is to promote honesty in politicians. After all, we hold corporations to certain standards (it is a crime to have false advertising) and individuals in the law of contracts to certain standards of honesty. What's so special about politicians? Why should politicians get to promise whatever they want to get elected and then break those promises with impunity?

Under the current system, there is a ''race to lie.'' Parties don't think they can get elected unless they make at least a few promises they don't intend to keep. Which is why we need a deterrent against that and a way to promote honesty and transparency.

It's also a good idea because it promotes accountability. Voters will better be able to gage which party to stand behind because they know that the parties will be very careful in making their promises. The system should end up rewarding parties that are more honest, practical, and thoughtful than under the current system. All of the misrepresentations under the current regime really undercut ideas of democratic accountability.

The major problem I see is that its entirely possible for a campaign promise to not be fulfilled because either it turns out to be infeasible, or other events cause it to become a lower priority. Also, since the ruling party is more likely to be able to be able to fulfill promises because the minority part generally can't force a bill through, a law like this would almost certainly end up being used as a weapon against the minority party, which would break the democratic process even further. This is especially true for a two-party state like the US.

Then the law would incentivize politicians to make realistic and not absurd promises.

What's wrong with that? Would you rather have the ruling party get nothing done, like what we have now with the polarization of the parties?

[Imperializt Russia]

Sodomy, rape and violence?

I don't think Kefka is that bad.

A world without dogs, suits, or privacy.

No suits?

That is it.

[Laanvia]

No it shouldn't.

[Pope Joan]

We all know that this is a game and the promises are mere puffery. Those who are fooled deserve what they get.

But I admit it is a delightful fantasy to envision placing these windbags in the stocks and pelting them with rotten vegetables.

[Kiribati-Tarawa]

There's no way this could possibly be practical. After all, politicians change their minds mid-election, depending on which group they're trying to woo over. Even if they didn't, the determination of whether or not they fulfilled their promise is highly subjective. Their supporters would say they did and their opponents would say they didn't. The best way to stop lying politicians is to vote them out of office, or not vote them in in the first place (ehem, Hillary).

courts can decide on findings of fact

they always have

if they can draw the line between misleading advertising and highly misleading advertising (a crime), then they could do the same with criminal misrepresentations by politicians.

They'll have plenty to look into. Over time, they'll develop their own tests which I'm sure will take into account a large variety of realistic factors and indicators (such as legislative history, inferred intention etc)

There's still so much subjectivity involved in such a ruling that it couldn't possibly be fair. Also, this essentially make all adherents to realpolitik criminals, since pragmatic politicians make the best decision for the country regardless of their ideology. We wouldn't want to limit the government's ability to respond to situations simply because the best solution is not in line with their proclaimed beliefs/promises.

[Blakullar]

With that logic, every politican should be in jail.

Look, many politicians are decent men and women. Election promises can't always come true. Often times, the idealism of politicians fades when they realize that elected office is all about compromise.

It's just a hypothetical, but what if the election promises were not mere idealism, but outright Machiavellian duplicity to fool the electors into giving them power?

[Scomagia]

A world without dogs, suits, or privacy.

No suits?

That is it.

Meh, I wouldn't care if suits disappeared. I never trust a man in a suit, anyway.

[Kiribati-Tarawa]

With that logic, every politican should be in jail.

Look, many politicians are decent men and women. Election promises can't always come true. Often times, the idealism of politicians fades when they realize that elected office is all about compromise.

It's just a hypothetical, but what if the election promises were not mere idealism, but outright Machiavellian duplicity to fool the electors into giving them power?

I think that you give most politicians' intelligence too much credit.

[Great Confederacy of Commonwealth States]

It's just a hypothetical, but what if the election promises were not mere idealism, but outright Machiavellian duplicity to fool the electors into giving them power?

I think that you give most politicians' intelligence too much credit.

I think you underestimate these people and what it means to become a politician...

[Kiribati-Tarawa]

I think that you give most politicians' intelligence too much credit.

I think you underestimate these people and what it means to become a politician...

Most of them are buffoons with no ambition whatsoever (*cough* Joe Biden). A few are probably rather cunning, but I wouldn't say the majority have the ability to get past being a rank-and-file congressman.

[Blakullar]

It's just a hypothetical, but what if the election promises were not mere idealism, but outright Machiavellian duplicity to fool the electors into giving them power?

I think that you give most politicians' intelligence too much credit.

WELL, given some of the American Republican Party's more colourful figures, I wouldn't deny that for a second.

[Kiribati-Tarawa]

I think that you give most politicians' intelligence too much credit.

WELL, given some of the American Republican Party's more colourful figures, I wouldn't deny that for a second.

Sorry, I was talking about democrats. I should have been more clear.

[In Gentem Et De Libris Scientiam]

Want to know something funny?
Politicians are the ones that make laws.....

[Great Confederacy of Commonwealth States]

I think you underestimate these people and what it means to become a politician...

Most of them are buffoons with no ambition whatsoever (*cough* Joe Biden). A few are probably rather cunning, but I wouldn't say the majority have the ability to get past being a rank-and-file congressman.

First: There is more politics in the world than just the US. Look beyond the borders to see the world.
Second: If you have no ambition, you don't become the Vice President of the most powerful country on earth. You don't become VP by chance. That's a struggle. Politicians will often act kindly on camera, only to be absolute maniacs behind the scenes. Most politicians might look buffoonish, but trust me, they certainly are not.

[Blakullar]

WELL, given some of the American Republican Party's more colourful figures, I wouldn't deny that for a second.

Sorry, I was talking about democrats. I should have been more clear.

There are some dense Democrats, as well. In fact, buffoonery seems pretty much to be universal in politics.

[Kiribati-Tarawa]

Most of them are buffoons with no ambition whatsoever (*cough* Joe Biden). A few are probably rather cunning, but I wouldn't say the majority have the ability to get past being a rank-and-file congressman.

First: There is more politics in the world than just the US. Look beyond the borders to see the world.
Second: If you have no ambition, you don't become the Vice President of the most powerful country on earth. You don't become VP by chance. That's a struggle. Politicians will often act kindly on camera, only to be absolute maniacs behind the scenes. Most politicians might look buffoonish, but trust me, they certainly are not.

Yes, there is indeed more to politics than the US. In fact, despite being an American, I follow UK politics quite closely. I see buffoons there as well.

The position of Vice President is about the most powerless one in government. It's an excellent way for a President to neutralise their enemies, since the VP is essentially powerless. The only time he becomes interesting is if the President is on the threshold of death. Nobody pays attention to him otherwise and he has no powers. I think you've been watching a bit too much House of Cards.

Sorry, I was talking about democrats. I should have been more clear.

There are some dense Democrats, as well. In fact, buffoonery seems pretty much to be universal in politics.

Amen to that.

[Dyakovo]

Aye... Just imagine a totalitarian government run by Kefka…

The difference being that he wanted to ban fishing, not meat

And dogs. And suits. And talking in movie theatres.

[Val Halla]

I should be a politician, saying I'll bring this law into effect, then not do it, and just outlaw making true promises.

[Great Confederacy of Commonwealth States]

First: There is more politics in the world than just the US. Look beyond the borders to see the world.
Second: If you have no ambition, you don't become the Vice President of the most powerful country on earth. You don't become VP by chance. That's a struggle. Politicians will often act kindly on camera, only to be absolute maniacs behind the scenes. Most politicians might look buffoonish, but trust me, they certainly are not.

Yes, there is indeed more to politics than the US. In fact, despite being an American, I follow UK politics quite closely. I see buffoons there as well.

The position of Vice President is about the most powerless one in government. It's an excellent way for a President to neutralise their enemies, since the VP is essentially powerless. The only time he becomes interesting is if the President is on the threshold of death. Nobody pays attention to him otherwise and he has no powers. I think you've been watching a bit too much House of Cards.

There are some dense Democrats, as well. In fact, buffoonery seems pretty much to be universal in politics.

Amen to that.

Never watched an episode in my life. But I know that power stretches beyond what a position itself means. Yeah, the vice president has no official power, but he does have influence. It's not for punishing enemies, it's for keeping friends close, if anything. Nobody in the media pays attention to him, perhaps, but that does not mean Washington does not pay attention to him. Biden is a powerful party figure, even if his government position is small. That's not House of Cards. That's politics. Every political system has back room talks, discussions, strategies, all of which are too complicated for mere baboons to play. The idea that all politicians are idiots is one simply proclaimed, but it has no basis in truth. These people are intelligent strategists, planners and talkers. Have you considered that what you see might not be the whole picture?

[Imperializt Russia]

No suits?

That is it.

Meh, I wouldn't care if suits disappeared. I never trust a man in a suit, anyway.

You used to be cool, man.

[Infected Mushroom]

I propose that we make it a crime to break campaign promises. If a politician says while running for election, ''I will do X'' or ''I will try my best to do X'' or ''I will propose Agenda Y'' then he needs to do it once he is elected; if he doesn't, then he should face prosecution and face severe penalties.

A major factor contributing to political apathy and lack of voter turnout is the perception that politicians lie all the time and will break their campaign promises, that they will sell out to the system. This will act as a deterrence against that kind of unethical behaviour.

The goal is to promote honesty in politicians. After all, we hold corporations to certain standards (it is a crime to have false advertising) and individuals in the law of contracts to certain standards of honesty. What's so special about politicians? Why should politicians get to promise whatever they want to get elected and then break those promises with impunity?

Under the current system, there is a ''race to lie.'' Parties don't think they can get elected unless they make at least a few promises they don't intend to keep. Which is why we need a deterrent against that and a way to promote honesty and transparency.

It's also a good idea because it promotes accountability. Voters will better be able to gage which party to stand behind because they know that the parties will be very careful in making their promises. The system should end up rewarding parties that are more honest, practical, and thoughtful than under the current system. All of the misrepresentations under the current regime really undercut ideas of democratic accountability.

The major problem I see is that its entirely possible for a campaign promise to not be fulfilled because either it turns out to be infeasible, or other events cause it to become a lower priority. Also, since the ruling party is more likely to be able to be able to fulfill promises because the minority part generally can't force a bill through, a law like this would almost certainly end up being used as a weapon against the minority party, which would break the democratic process even further. This is especially true for a two-party state like the US.

the problem with the minority gets solved by having the minority simply saying that they will try to do X instead of saying that they will accomplish X... or else qualifying it with, IF I have a majority government I will do X... there are plenty of ways to be honest

Feasibility down the road?

This is exactly why politicians should really think through what they promise before they promise it. They should really think when they are talking on the road... ''Am I making a potential misrepresentation?''

[Quintium]

I'm not sure if criminal prosecution is the right path. However, I am in favour of a system where specific election promises about certain policies are held to be a binding promise in civil law to every individual citizen, and where every citizen can get the courts involved to force the politician to do what he promised if he is in some way able to deliver but will not. This is especially relevant to my country, where we now have a premier who was elected after saying that, if elected, he would ensure a one-time payment of €1000 to every working citizen in the country, but who raised taxes.

[Infected Mushroom]

I'm not sure if criminal prosecution is the right path. However, I am in favour of a system where specific election promises about certain policies are held to be a binding promise to every individual citizen, and where every citizen can get the courts involved to force the politician to do what he promised if he is in some way able to deliver but will not. This is especially relevant to my country, where we now have a premier who was elected after saying that, if elected, he would ensure a one-time payment of €1000 to every working citizen in the country, but who raised taxes.

Yes.

We could import some common law principles from the law of private contracts.

In a contract, if a party makes a serious misrepresentation before the contract is entered into, then one of parties, upon discovery of the misrepresentation, can elect to have the contract rescinded.

Politicians get elected to their public office based on representations that they make and which the citizens rely on in casting their votes. If they don't keep their promises, then why should they retain the complete benefits of their elected office terms?