Democrasy In Europe?
Posted by: u5227470736789439 on 02 June 2006
Dear Friends,
Is my view very Euro-centric, or is democrasy only really possible in old Europe, or places largely populated by Euroeans? I ask this in light of of a very long history of cultural and political history, which only in Europe seems to terminate in a form of [occasionally distorted, I would grant] democrasy being the ultimate form of government for us?
The exception to prove the rule must surely be India, [and the old commonwealth of Australia, NZ and Cannada and note, not the US, but these are mainly populated by Europeans!], and that extra-ordinary transplant in India must be viewed as one of the good things [from the democratic, Euro-centric view, of course] things to have come out of the old British Empire.
As for the US, it must surely be open to doubt [GWB's first 'election' being the most recent example] as to whether the that great country is democratic at all.
I guess I may have demonstrated a bit of old world perspective here, which is not terribly PC, but anyone please do express a view, even if it is condemnation of an old-world-at-heart person.
I cannot, for example, see democrasy taking off any more successfully in in Iraq than Rhodesia - sorry Zimbabwe. It may struggle on for a while in SA, but I will not be holding my breath.
Fredrik
Posted on: 03 June 2006 by BigH47
Or democracy?
Posted on: 03 June 2006 by u5227470736789439
Dear Howard, Was that constructive? Or is pedantry your sole contribution to a potentially useful discussion? Fredrik
Posted on: 03 June 2006 by Beano
Is Democracy a form of religion? And is it committing suicide?
Beano
Posted on: 03 June 2006 by u5227470736789439
The question of 'All power corrupting, and absolute power corrupting, absolotely,' makes any other system seem even less likely to work in the old European world.
My premise is that in other cultures, the acceptance of this and even the willing compliance with it make it seem likely that only in Europe and in in European based cultures is there any chance it can not only be made to work...
Perhaps the reality is that humans are so stupid as a whole, that we stand no chance of long term survival with the technical capapcity we now posess to destroy the planet and each other in any case, and so perhaps the point is moot.
Fredrik
Posted on: 03 June 2006 by Beano
Democracy is preached in some "Countries" by Jackals with the population being treated as "Jackasses".
Saying that, I personally wouldn't want to live under Islamic law.
Beano
Posted on: 03 June 2006 by u5227470736789439
Dear Beano,
Personally I would not want to live under a unremovable dictatorship anywhere, and I suspect that even where we can eventually remove an administration we are (as electors) regards as a necessary evil - "Jackasses," if you like. I think we may have an area of agreement here.
Fredrik
Posted on: 03 June 2006 by Earwicker
Well, there's a strand of opinion that has it that certain cultures - Islam, for example - are inherently incompatible with democracy; the Saudi princes, for eg! There are parts of the world, therefore, where democracy isn't going to catch on for a very long time.
Since there is as yet no viable alternative to democracy its flaws are quietly tolerated. You don't have to qualify to vote, thus stupid, ignorant people (the majority, some might argue) determine who rules us. Another problem that people are keeping strangely quiet about in this country is that certain ethnic groups all vote one way - about 90 % of all black and Asian people in the UK vote Labour, so the government is presently importing its own electorate since no indiginous Englishman would ever vote for the fuckers.
Anotyher problem is that many people don't vote: Labour had a crushing majority when it took power when very few people actually voted FOR them.
So it's pretty flawed, but what's the alternative? I would suggest that more people should be deprived of the vote - immigrants and convicts for eg.
EW
Posted on: 03 June 2006 by Beano
We are, and have been for quite some time, reaping the benefits of the “Former British Empire”.
Which was a profoundly important endeavour, to whoever decided to launch it? In which the “West” has shaken to the very core, all the societies in the World loose from their moorings. All in this quest (roll out) for Democracy. This is still going on today I feel.
The word Indifference springs to mind, in regards to whether they succeed in the end is another un-answerable question!
Beano
Posted on: 05 June 2006 by u5227470736789439
Dear EW,
I am not proposing the idea that top grade O-levels are necessary to be granted the vote, but I see no reason why a simple English comprehension test should not be a requirement.
I believe that the inmates of a lunatic asylum do not have the vote, and given that most basket cases are outside any asylum, that seems unfair to me!
Fredrik
Posted on: 06 June 2006 by Guido Fawkes
Democrasy In Europe - seems like a good idea: when is it going to happen.
Seems all the governments are made up of politicians surely the very worst people to govern - why no song writers, artists or scientists.
Oh well, Rotf
Remember - don't vote it just encourages them.
PS: I wonder if politicians would do it if they were on performance related pay - think of all the money they'd owe us. If they did it for a means tested allowance that was capped at the minimum wage and they paid full income tax then I might take one of them seriously - until then I think politicians are a joke, but unfortunately not in the best possible taste.
Posted on: 06 June 2006 by Guido Fawkes
quote:
Originally posted by Fredrik_Fiske:
.....
I believe that the inmates of a lunatic asylum do not have the vote, and given that most basket cases are outside any asylum, that seems unfair to me!
Fredrik
I agree - basket cases around here are in an institution known as Gloucestershire County Council.
