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Re: democracy
Thanks for the complement, you're very good at what you write and your opinion is much appreciated.
posted by
AardigeAfrikaner
on September 20, 2008 at 5:37 AM
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democracy
I read your reply which was also quite good. The general population may not qualify to vote in a politician just as they're many out there that shouldn't be having babies. Of course the cultural commies would shudder at this thought. Actually I'm a bit suprised as I always thought you would be too forgiving or humane so to speak to see it this way.
But you really said it when you claimed politicians are only concerned with their own careers as opposed to the well being of others. Politicians are basically looking in the mirror and hoping the public will agree that they look good. The public is their audience, not something to be taken care of. Most American politicians are former lawyers.
posted by
mordent
on September 20, 2008 at 1:47 AM
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Re: That is why we should continue thinking about it
If we just accept it as the best possibility without considering it's flaws we'll never get anything better in place. It seems to be the only system that makes it possible to change government and policy in a non violent way and that is it's primary advantage. It's greatest disadvantage being that those with most recourse to means of influencing opinion will probably rise to power and once there, maintain it. In a country were the choice is simplified to only two parties, with negligible influence by various minor parties and independent candidates, and with not much difference in policy between the two major parties (except in words on the issues contended during campaigning), the same rich and powerful stakeholders can infiltrate and influence policy regardless of which party gets to win elections. Eventually we end up with big business running the country to their advantage and even though that is partly the capitalist dream I don't think these are necessarily the people with the right skills and intentions to be in this position. It is not difficult to make the average citizen believe he/she is having an influence on policy making by his/her vote. If the issues being decided upon by referendums and party votes are arbitrary it is easy to mislead people into believing they actually have a say in matters of government whilst they in fact have none or at most very limited say. This is perhaps better than no vote, but personally I would prefer a government chosen and guided by intelligent and informed people to one seemingly chosen by the general population. Anyway, these are just the opinions of a layman on the subject and I can't change any of this with my one vote, but at least I can make my opinion public without getting shot.
posted by
AardigeAfrikaner
on September 19, 2008 at 7:58 PM
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Yes, in part you are correct. Yet, because most of those less than educable persons don't vote, they do not wield as much influence as you suggest. But, of course, they can be manipulated; and often are.
Yes, democracy is an imperfect way of selecting leaders; but it is the best way that has been devised so far.
posted by
EX_TURPI
on September 19, 2008 at 3:49 PM
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