Book by Nirvana bassist encourages electoral reform, active democracy

Complete this sentence: When I think of politics, I think of …

Chances are your answer wasn’t Krist Novoselic, bassist and founding member of Nirvana.

But perhaps it should have been.

After all, the man’s on a mission, having recently written a political treatise titled “Of Grunge and Government: Let’s Fix this Broken Democracy,” from which he will read at Auntie’s Bookstore on Monday at 7:30 p.m., followed by a book signing.

Wait, let’s try that again: the bassist from Nirvana, among the most important bands of the past two decades, is coming to Auntie’s Bookstore.

Paying attention now? Good.

Novoselic’s book uses the grunge movement’s takeover of the music industry as a model for what he believes must happen to American democracy. In it the 40-year-old activist examines voter apathy and third parties in the two-party system, and most of all, he proposes electoral reform.

“I’m arguing for more democracy, but what I’d like to see is a reinvention. And the analogy that I bring up is that once music becomes predictable and a formula to sustain the establishment, people stop buying music, they tune out, they become cynical,” Novoselic said from his home outside of Naselle, Wash., near the mouth of the Columbia River.

“Well … once politics becomes predictable and a formula to sustain the establishment, people stop voting, they tune out and they become cynical. So the remedy to democracy is a reinvention, and to get people excited about democracy again.”

In other words, in the ‘90s Novoselic rocked the music industry. Now he’s trying to rock the body politic.

Novoselic proposes a move to instant-runoff voting (IRV), in which voters would rank candidates in order of preference that would be taken into account in a close race.

He believes IRV would put an end to what he calls the “culture of discouragement” and promote an inclusive, competitive environment, rather than one in which like-minded candidates demonize each other while fighting for a vote.

“If competition works for our economy, it can work for our democracy. It’s a simple, basic principle,” he said.

Novoselic’s no stranger to civic action. He has become a well-known figure in Washington state politics by working against various bills and ordinances, including Seattle’s infamous Teen Dance Ordinance, that restrict and often attempt to prohibit minors’ ability to buy records and attend concerts.

Novoselic also co-founded JAMPAC (Joint Artists and Music Promotions Political Action Committee), which represents and defends musicians, fans and promoters on legislative issues.

It’s this hands-on, proactive sense of inclusion and action that Novoselic hopes will catch on with youth and society.

That’s why he sees problems with many protestors, incendiary radio talk show hosts such as Rush Limbaugh and documentary filmmakers such as Michael Moore.

“I just don’t really see any concrete policy proposals, especially coming from the left of the political persuasion. It’s just kind of Bush-bashing and Congress-bashing,” Novoselic said. “What are you for? Do you have a policy proposal?”

His point is not to bash protestors; he believes protesting is a necessary element of democracy. But he’s frustrated by what he sees as a lack of motivation and willingness to fully participate in the democratic system.

And starting with his book, he’s determined to do something about it.

Not bad for a guy who once suffered a concussion after dropping his bass guitar on his head on live television.