Comment Re:Not such a good idea.. (Score 1) 255
I think that the Wiki approach to drafting laws is not to practical, like other people have said.
But I have often thought that using and Open Source development model for drafting laws would be more suitable.
Laws contracts and software seem to have a lot in common; they are designed to meet a particular functional purpose; they are algorithmic in nature; they must often function in somewhat unpredictable and changing operating environments; their designers need to consider all eventualities; they must be robust enough to withstand attempts to subvert their original function by third parties with large resources and malicious intent.
Basically writing laws is a software development problem, your country is the hardware.
A more open source/community development approach to writing laws would include accepting contributions, keeping discussions open and on-line. Fixing bugs/loopholes as they are reported. Working out ways to test a law's effectiveness against it's stated aims.
Laws could be that appear successful could be borrowed by anyone who needs them. E.g. a law that was developed and tested in Europe could be incorporate cost free into South American Statute book cost free with minor modifications.
Or a robust law could be developed forked by different interested parties to give it a Democrat or Republican spin.
Voters would ask serious questions if a party started deploying laws that weren't developed by some kind of robust open community process.
But I have often thought that using and Open Source development model for drafting laws would be more suitable.
Laws contracts and software seem to have a lot in common; they are designed to meet a particular functional purpose; they are algorithmic in nature; they must often function in somewhat unpredictable and changing operating environments; their designers need to consider all eventualities; they must be robust enough to withstand attempts to subvert their original function by third parties with large resources and malicious intent.
Basically writing laws is a software development problem, your country is the hardware.
A more open source/community development approach to writing laws would include accepting contributions, keeping discussions open and on-line. Fixing bugs/loopholes as they are reported. Working out ways to test a law's effectiveness against it's stated aims.
Laws could be that appear successful could be borrowed by anyone who needs them. E.g. a law that was developed and tested in Europe could be incorporate cost free into South American Statute book cost free with minor modifications.
Or a robust law could be developed forked by different interested parties to give it a Democrat or Republican spin.
Voters would ask serious questions if a party started deploying laws that weren't developed by some kind of robust open community process.
