How do you solve the problem that half the country can’t even be bothered to participate once every four years?

I assume you're talking about the US electoral system?? That's very different.

but how would we get people to engage with such a system?

By empowering them.

Consider how the current electoral system disempowers people:

1. Some people literally cannot vote or risk jeopardizing their job taking the day off, others face voter suppression tactics

2. The FPTP system (esp. spoiler effect) and the present political circumstances mean that there are really only two viable options for political parties for most people, so many feel that neither option represents them, let alone their individual positions on policy

3. Politics is widely considered to be corrupt and break electoral promises regularly. There is little faith in either party to represent voters

But, in a system where you are able to represent yourself at will, engagement is actually rewarding and meaningful. It won't magically make everyone care, but direct democracy alongside voter rights reform would likely make more people think it's worth polling.

Imagine you had a lemmy instance that every post was a proposal for regulation in your community/region. Anyone can make a post, some will gain traction and support, some will be worthless and fall off quickly. If the proposal gains enough support it then goes to a vote post where people get to make an official vote. Could be to charge $40 for a speeding ticket instead of $50, could be a trade agreement with another region.

I think this method would give people equity in the system. Maybe it could also be scored on a curve depending on how much it effects you as an individual. Maybe having advanced education on a topic means your say has more weight to it than someone without.

I was thinking of ways to move towards this and so far my best idea is to build it and run it in parrelel with what we have now. Get it functioning and trusted and simply try to roll over what we have now. I figure something tragic would need to happen to create a power void for full implementation. Like yellowstone erupting or something. I was also thinking that we need to teach the kids. We need to give them tools to build on so they can take this kind of idea to fruition.

I am just a regular idiot, so feel free to add anything constructive.

I think you’re victim blaming. I can’t blame half the country for not wanting to participate in a symbolic gesture that will have no impact on the end result in this corrupted system.

https://pnhp.org/news/gilens-and-page-average-citizens-have-little-impact-on-public-policy/