Why Not ARA?

Discussion forum r/TeenGovernment u/Magmaflamefire2 posted 2026-03-19 23:19 UTC ↑3 · 67% 19 comments

I've noticed that the Amendment Referendum Amendment is incredibly unpopular and I want to know why. Why are we against being closer to direct democracy? Why are you against having extra power and checks on the government? I would like to know.

3 comments

Levenop 2026-03-19 23:21 UTC ↑8

It's less interesting/there's less to do if there's a direct democracy.

Magmaflamefire2 2026-03-19 23:28 UTC ↑2 OP

Wouldn't there be more to do since you have to vote on amendments in addition to voting for council members?

Due_Camel6262 2026-03-19 23:23 UTC ↑2 ✎ edited 2026-03-19 23:27 UTC

Maybe you should advocate for the merits of the bill instead of asserting your political belief as the best option

Edit:

Magma, there is no need for downvoting. If you'd like political discourse, please reply

Edit again: You upvoted it again

Magmaflamefire2 2026-03-19 23:27 UTC ↑2 OP

I'm just trying to figure out the arguments against the bill.

Edit: and wdym the merits?

Due_Camel6262 2026-03-19 23:32 UTC ↑1

The good things about the bill

Magmaflamefire2 2026-03-19 23:34 UTC ↑2 OP

Well the good things are more checks on the government to ensure that the council and president are unable to create an oligarchy with them at the head.

You have more power to the people without erasing the benefits of having a council to filter out horrible proposals.

Due_Camel6262 2026-03-19 23:35 UTC ↑1

This is a purely speculative argument

Magmaflamefire2 2026-03-19 23:39 UTC ↑2 OP

The only speculative thing is the potential for the council and president using a loophole. Which given the right circumstances can happen. It has happened historically as well. That's how democracies fall. It is simply an extra barrier against authoritarianism. There's no reason why we wouldn't want that.

What isn't speculative is what I said about the amendment itself, in which case it does in fact provide the people more checks on the government.

Due_Camel6262 2026-03-19 23:41 UTC ↑1

So... The only argument for this amendment would make amendments much harder to pass is "a bunch of people COULD form an oligarchy?"

Magmaflamefire2 2026-03-19 23:45 UTC ↑2 OP

No the argument is that if this amendment passes, then we won't have to worry about an oligarchy.

The other argument for this amendment is that it gives the people more power.

And amendments to the constitution SHOULD be hard to pass. That's the ENTIRE point of a constitution is that it is INCREDIBLY difficult to change.

Due_Camel6262 2026-03-20 00:05 UTC ↑1

They're already hard to pass, and petitions can be put in place to repeal them

Due_Camel6262 2026-03-20 00:17 UTC ↑1

also, making the constriction hard to change has ruined my country

roemaencepartnaer 2026-03-19 23:27 UTC ↑6

Because it genuinely takes some of the fun away from the sub

Magmaflamefire2 2026-03-19 23:28 UTC ↑2 OP

In what way?

roemaencepartnaer 2026-03-19 23:54 UTC ↑2

I feel like it takes away the stakes of running for council if either way, you will be a part of the ultimate authority that determines whether or not a bill passes. I think it would clog the sub and slow down the process of bills passing as well, then being made to wait an extra three days to see if it passes. I understand that you want a direct democracy, but everyone having input lowers the stakes and is inefficient. 

Magmaflamefire2 2026-03-19 23:56 UTC ↑1 OP

Understandable

Post ID: t3_1ryfv6k · Subreddit: r/TeenGovernment · Created: 2026-03-19 23:19 UTC · Cached: 2026-03-22 22:30 UTC · Versions: 1