People, Territory, Plebiscite: The Main Features—Objections and Answers

Abstract

This chapter discusses three main aspects of the new rule: people, territory, and plebiscite. It also considers some objections to the new rule and its effects—including the possibility that it would make things worse. The chapter then answers those objections and provides a theoretical justification for the basic intuition that democratic decision-making by local majorities is a positive good. An important theme will emerge: In many respects, the new rule is flawed—in the same ways the current rule is. And in other respects, this flawed new rule offers something more in keeping with people's better natures. The new rule is principally designed to be used before a crisis; it provides a pathway for peaceful change so that crisis need not come.