How essential is it to live in a democracy?

[Kilgore Trout]

Living under a democracy provides the ennui-based luxury to believe there's something better.

 

[Quagmire]

Democracy works great, in theory.

Problem is it fails to take into account the fact that a huge percentage of any given population are idiots.

Voted 1.

 

[Mister Emu]

1.

History, ancient and recent, shows that the people cannot be trusted with themselves. Heavy constitutional restrictions are necessary, and that only delays the issue.

 

[Yerda]

1.

History, ancient and recent, shows that the people cannot be trusted with themselves. Heavy constitutional restrictions are necessary, and that only delays the issue.

In what sense are you using the word democracy here? In my understanding democracy only works with a constitution.

As for history, which times and places do you suppose compare favourably with a typical Western liberal democracy like the USA?

 

[Mister Emu]

In what sense are you using the word democracy here? In my understanding democracy only works with a constitution.

In the sense that major decisions are made by a democratic vote. Democracy doesn't require a constitution or that the constitution not be open to simple majority alterations, so I used a broad application to cover a range from direct democracy to constitutional republics as with America.

As for history, which times and places do you suppose compare favourably with a typical Western liberal democracy like the USA?

How I answer has no impact on the perceived ability of the people to maintain their own liberty. Given our technological advances and the resultant comforts, I likely wouldn't choose any other time or place than America; however, the system as at the founding of the United States was better, cleaner, and more protective of liberty than the system as it stands now. I would choose to employ that system with America today, had I such a choice.

 

[suncowiam]

Democracy works great, in theory.

Problem is it fails to take into account the fact that a huge percentage of any given population are idiots.

Voted 1.

I'm starting to believe this too. However, I can't rectify a sense of inequality and censorship when following through with the entire thought.

 

[psychoslice]

It has to be far better than being a como that's for sure.

 

[psychoslice]

Is that a bulge ?.

 

[sun rise]

I voted 8 because I'd really prefer an enlightened despot. The only problems are that despots are not enlightened and it's truly hard to get rid of them when they turn evil (Lord Acton is still accurate). As messy and imperfect as we are, we're better than places like Russia, China, North Korea etc.

Now if we wanted to debate pure democracy vs representative government, presidential vs parliamentary systems etc, that would be another matter.

 

[Revoltingest]

Is that a bulge ?.

I believe the term you're looking for is "camel toe".

 

[psychoslice]

I believe the term you're looking for is "camel toe".

Ha, yes that's it, a swollen one though.

 

[Revoltingest]

Ha, yes that's it, a swollen one though.

It's a sign she likes you.

 

[psychoslice]

It's a sign she likes you.

Mmmmmm.......

 

[Yerda]

In the sense that major decisions are made by a democratic vote. Democracy doesn't require a constitution or that the constitution not be open to simple majority alterations, so I used a broad application to cover a range from direct democracy to constitutional republics as with America.


How I answer has no impact on the perceived ability of the people to maintain their own liberty. Given our technological advances and the resultant comforts, I likely wouldn't choose any other time or place than America; however, the system as at the founding of the United States was better, cleaner, and more protective of liberty than the system as it stands now. I would choose to employ that system with America today, had I such a choice.

That's fair enough. Thanks for clarifying.