'Open source' politics

I had a conversation with a friend last night about the way open source works as an effective way to develop public software. Somehow the conversation turned to politics and it made me wonder: Is it possible to use open source methodology in polticy making (theoretically at least) so that policy is produced and reviewed publicly. Is it be possible to make policy reviews on a 'what works best' basis rather than 'what do most people think is best' basis?

Discuss.

>>3

I think it can work for some things.  Scientific and highly technical fields may not work, but I think for most general political stuff it could work. 

I'd love to see an open source take on the best way to educate kids, or maybe open source budget decisions.  I wouldn't like to see open source millitary and deplomacy --- it's not something that most people know enough about to make good decisions.