Does Democracy Work?

angelica

I was engaged in a conversation between a few people yesterday, when one proclaimed: "democracy doesn't work"

Is a democratic system a gross way of deciding what a group does? By "gross" I mean is it clumsy and non-discerning or non-refined? For example, if we have a group...say a large country, and the peoples voting are fairly evenly split, we are left with a country divided on a large-scale. Much dissension is the result. A country divided is at odds with itself, rather than being holistic and thriving. A system that is self-conflicted and is not aware of it's own inherent imbalance, acts out imbalance outwardly and worse, willfully.


If this is the case, (that democracy doesn't work) and given millions upon millions of people are indoctrinated with the belief that democracy is the only enlightened way, how do we progress through such an erroneous belief, into designing systems that work for us given what issues we face at this time in the present, rather than repeating mistakes of the past due to over-identification with ideology that fit our purposes at one time, but that no longer suffice given our needs?

Also, how will countries adapt, when their entire identity hinges on democracy at the expense of national open-mindedness and healthy adaptation?

Rhinocerous Surprise

Here's the ideal system:

It's what's called "Pol-Sys 412.4". Instead of us voting for our leaders in a traditional sense, the existing government holds an art competition, and voters have to draw or paint which political candidate they want to become Emperor of the Galatic Imperium. The candidate who has the best portrait done is elected. Also, the artist responsible wins $5!

angelica

Rhinocerous Surprise wrote:

Here's the ideal system:

It's what's called "Pol-Sys 412.4". Instead of us voting for our leaders in a traditional sense, the existing government holds an art competition, and voters have to draw or paint which political candidate they want to become Emperor of the Galatic Imperium. The candidate who has the best portrait done is elected. Also, the artist responsible wins $5!

Cool!!

Emperor of the Galactic Imperium...I like it!! And art IS connected to our higher purposes as humans!

Rhinocerous Surprise

angelica wrote:

Cool!!

Emperor of the Galactic Imperium...I like it!! And art IS connected to our higher purposes as humans!

"Emperor of the Galactic Imperium" sounds more intimidating than it really would be, in reality. Instead of well-tailored suits, or kingly robes, he wears a stained white vest, and baggy pajama pants. These pants are pulled down by the court jester after every public speech the Emperor makes, just to make sure he doesn't get too full of himself.

angelica

Rhinocerous Surprise wrote:

"Emperor of the Galactic Imperium" sounds more intimidating than it really would be, in reality. Instead of well-tailored suits, or kingly robes, he wears a stained white vest, and baggy pajama pants. These pants are pulled down by the court jester after every public speech the Emperor makes, just to make sure he doesn't get too full of himself.

Makes perfect sense!

Rhinocerous Surprise

angelica wrote:

Makes perfect sense!

I'm sorry for ruining your thread before it even got a chance.

angelica

Rhinocerous Surprise wrote:

I'm sorry for ruining your thread before it even got a chance.

If people are compelled to say something, they'll do it!

lukin2006

A true democracy is probably the best system, but unfortunately there does not appear to be a true democracy out there. By what I mean a true democracy is that the politicians are elected to handle all the mundane day to day problems, but all major decision, like tax increases, capital punishment, the war in iraq, pay raises for politicians, etc., get voted on by the people. The problem with most democracies is that the politicians have way to much power and power corrupts. Also it should be easier to recall a politician if he is not doing the job.

farfromglorified

"Does Democracy work" is only half of a question.

It's like saying "does a hammer work" or "does a sponge work". A hammer works well for pounding in a nail, and a sponge works well for cleaning a dish. But neither would work well at the other job. Like a hammer and like a sponge, democracy is simply a tool. And to measure a tool's performance, you need to understand what you're using it for.

Pacomc79

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athenian_democracy


This is a nice read.

The short answer.... it depends on the factors involved.

Among the factors, who votes... who votes for what... what type of democracy is it... etc.

Typically democracies do not have the longest shelf life of the available governmental systems.... part of this is poor implementation. They can lead to chaos if there is no leadership or the people have no self control.

This type of government demands a very responsible populace.

DriftingByTheStorm

"If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be."

-Thomas Jefferson


THAT is your ONLY problem with the Republic.
The Republic is a tool which works AMAZINGLY well to maintain liberty, that is --provided the people whom it protects are actively concerned about the maintenance of such liberty.

Please reference above quote for further explanation.
:cool: