Idea: Generational Government

[Flying Pig]

Once we cross whatever arbitrary line is drawn for adulthood restrictions based on age start resembling rather closely restrictions based on ethnic heritage.

Except that we can very clearly say that people below a certain 'grey area' between about 16 and 21 (depending on who you ask) should not be trusted with the vote or indeed most privelages of adulthood - it's not just discrimination in the same way as discrimination based on race. I know a lot of people on here like to believe that very young men and women can comport themselves as adults, but that's simply not the case.

 

[Flying Pig]

Well, that's embarassing - double post, can somebody please delete this one?

 

[Farm Boy]

Except that we can very clearly say that people below a certain 'grey area' between about 16 and 21 (depending on who you ask) should not be trusted with the vote or indeed most privelages of adulthood - it's not just discrimination in the same way as discrimination based on race.

If you want to phase in the rights of adulthood over a relatively short period of time that is one thing. I was more addressing the OP where governing rights are delineated over the entire swath of life.

Even phasing in some rights after the assumption of the legal burdens of adulthood is walking a sketchy line. So a 20 year old male in the States is old enough to vote, drive, be drafted, but not have a beer since he can't handle it?

 

[GoodGame]

Idea: reform the separation of powers so that participation in different branches of governments is restricted to people of certain ages.

Principle: a government dominated by older generations is not sufficiently incentivised to govern and develop the world in a sustainable way for future generations to flourish. However, young people cannot be entrusted with government due to lack of experience.

I suspect it was vaguely the intent in bicameral legislation branches to support a "youth" vote and a "senior" vote (or maybe just a popular vs. 'aristocratic' viewpoint), but in the USA it is generally illegal to discriminate based on age. It is legal to remove people from jobs on the basis of incompetence.

I don't expect a strong correlation with age and performance. I'd expect a stronger correlation with performance and experience (plus education). A meritocracy would emphasis ability to do the job more than ability to look the part.