If you think democracy is broken, here's an idea: let's replace politicians with randomly selected people. Author and activist Brett Hennig presents a compelling case for sortition democracy, or random selection of government officials -- a system with roots in ancient Athens that taps into the wisdom of the crowd and entrusts ordinary people with making balanced decisions for the greater good of everyone. Sound crazy? Learn more about how it could work to create a world free of partisan politics.

Brett Hennig: What if we replaced politicians with randomly selected people?

What if we replaced politicians with randomly selected people?

Democracy's essence debated: is random selection of officials, drawing from ancient Athens, the antidote to political disillusionment?

Sortition, or random selection, could end politicians by putting everyday people in parliament, reflecting a true societal microcosm.

Reviving ancient Athens' democracy via modern sortition could see a citizens' senate emerge, transforming legislative processes.