Reading Wanderings: Democracy in the 22nd Century - Elections Become Algorithms, Politicians Become Cats by Yusuke Narita

”The question is whether we can create our own 'Black Ships' to corner the dying democracy (capitalist democracy).”

As for the content of this new book, it is profound and difficult to summarize, but I would like you to read this book, which is filled with a mysterious charm that somehow captivates you and makes you want to read it through.
This is because, while interest in politics has recently been rising, the riots and misgovernment of a populace that has lost its vector, the influx of foreigners, the acquisition of companies, and the privatization of lifelines present an aspect that is similar to, yet different from, the arrival of the Black Ships during the Meiji Restoration.
There is no doubt that we have entered an era where we need 'something' that we create ourselves.
For that, we first need dreams and ideals (philosophy).
To use the words of Shoin Yoshida: 'Those without dreams have no ideals. Those without ideals have no plans. Those without plans have no execution. Those without execution have no success. Therefore, those without dreams have no success.' I believe that the realization of those dreams and the ideals (philosophy) themselves hold hints for the vision Yusuke Narita is thinking of.

If I were to summarize the conclusion of this book in one sentence, it would be 'Unconscious Data Democracy'.
To explain more concretely:
1. Based on public opinion data, discover what people value in each policy area and issue, and what kind of combination of outcome indicators and objective functions they want to optimize. Evidence-based objective discovery.
2. Choose the optimal political decision-making according to the objective functions and value criteria discovered in 1. This stage is close to evidence-based policy making, where effectiveness is verified based on past data regarding what kind of outcome indicators various past decisions led to.
As a composition,
'Unconscious Democracy = Evidence-based objective discovery + Evidence-based policy making'
becomes the result.
Simply put,
it becomes a democracy without elections.
He says that with the application of algorithmic technology, a democracy without elections is easily achievable.
And, politicians become cats. (Meaning anyone will do.)
And in accordance with the composition above, unconscious democracy becomes possible.

It is a vision that feels like the eve of the arrival of the movie The Matrix.
However, I doubt anyone has ever thought of such a novel vision before.
In terms of dreams and ideals, it seems innovative and revolutionary to me.
Why not try adopting unconscious data democracy, at least in Japan?
Would modern politicians just sit by and watch?
As written in this book, for capitalist democracy, the original democracy cannot be maintained.
This is because capitalism is free competition, and the gap between winners and losers is clear.
Democracy also exists as a political function that is the restoration of rights by those losers.
However, politicians are the winners in a capitalist society, and economic power and social status are necessary to become a politician.
Even if one were to rise solely through ability, there is a gap in whether one can receive a top-tier education due to the existence of parents with high economic power and social status.
And from now on, the gap will widen even more.
The Japanese population will decrease due to the declining birthrate and aging population.
The day when overseas immigrants (foreigners) become the champions of Japan is near.
On YouTube and SNS, words and actions reminiscent of the imperialism of Russia, China, and North Korea, as well as wars of aggression, are excessive. Genocide, organ trafficking, and inhumane acts are also increasing in Japan.
In South Korea, 70,000 people go missing every year.
This is just after the visa-free entry for Chinese citizens was decided in the Diet.
What about Japan? Similar things are being decided in the Diet.
The election in Miyagi Prefecture was exciting.
It was also a protest movement against the privatization of the water bureau and the installation of solar panels.
As a result, the voter turnout was only 47%.
Masamune Wada was working hard.
It was an election to change bad government.
I was disappointed that nothing would change under capitalist democracy.
And from now on, Japan will no longer be Japan.
Because foreigners will keep coming in.
It is not that all people from overseas are bad, but there is no guarantee that what is happening in South Korea will not happen in Japan.
Both America and Europe refused to accept refugees.
Will the election rate only rise after one's own child is kidnapped, one's wife is raped, and one can no longer drink water? No, it is already too late. We are heading to the next phase.
We must speak of dreams.
That is the only way to save a dying democracy.
Who would have envisioned creating a similar Black Ship after the arrival of the Black Ships during the Meiji Restoration?
It is us, the Japanese people.
I will not say to live with pride at this late stage.
I will not say to give up and die either.
But now is different from the past.
Yusuke Narita's vision could not have been realized during the Meiji Restoration.
We are standing on a playground that maximizes that possibility.
Why don't we read this book and discuss those hints?