If the people in power had the desire to enforce honesty and and goodwill in politics the problem would be solved already.
How do you know that it's not some sort of prison dilemma situation, where everyone would want to be more honest but it just doesn't pay off for any player to move in that direction?
I don't know that! I don't think it's the situation, but even if it was, whatever payoff matrix exists that keeps it from happening is the same as what would keep THIS suggestion from happening.
See this Newsroom clip.
Basically, their news network is trying to change the way political debates work by having the moderator force the candidates to answer the questions that are asked of them, not interrupt each other, justify arguments that are based on obvious falsehoods etc.
How big of a positive impact do you guys think that this would have on society?
My initial thoughts are that it would be huge. It would lead to better politicians, which would be a high level of action. The positive effects would trickle down into many aspects of our society.
The question then becomes, "can we make this happen?". I don't see a way right now, but the idea has enough upside to me that I keep it in the back of my mind in case I come up with a plausible way of implementing the change.
Thoughts?