Jordan David Weisinger

GDP-based Representation Jordan David Weisinger

The impact of econometric representation on democratic longevity may be more important for less developed nations. Take for example Afghanistan with a per capita GDP of $590 and the tentative grasp it has on democracy. If the lifespan of a democracy with $590 GDP is only 8 years, then raising it passed $1000 could be a critical strategy for preserving democracy. If Afghanistan's modified per capita income could be raised above $1000 it could extend the timeframe for achieving durable democracy from just 8 years to 18 years or more. Afghanistan is America's longest war with nearly 17 years of active combat . If Afghanistan accepted the use of GDP-based representational coefficients, its legislature would emphasize the wealthier states over the poorer and more rural states providing an arc to more stability and more equitable economic reforms. These reforms can include minimum wage laws, union protections, progressive taxes and other simple reforms. Accelerated GDP growth over 17 years may have pushed its modified per-capita income passed the $1000 threshold helping suppress support for the Taliban. The higher modified per-capita income could extend the life of the democracy until it acquired enough wealth to perpetuate itself indefinitely. This is the promise of GDP-based representational coefficients for nation building. However, without a controlled experiment this speculation will remain unproven.