niggle

I can't remeber who said that, but I personally don't think he knew what he was talking about.

Humans like the idea of democracy, but don't actually like to practice it because its too high maintaince (sp?). Actually have to care about what others think and all.

We like the high ideals but we don't like the work that we have to put into it. So we end up demanding out of patroitism that no one can burn the flag and we must pledge allegiance to in "one nation, under God, for example. A democracy in name only.

On the other hand, perhaps we can't escape democracy. Can a minority really maintain control against the will of the majority? If the majority won't accept the dictator, can the dictator remain in power? If Iraqis REALLY wanted to get rid of Sadaam could they?

This idea is a de facto democracy, if not in name.

Any thoughts?


[title edited -V]

meritocrat

So it's natural for majorities to claim inherent rights over minorities?

niggle

Essentially. Might not make right, but it certainly decides who the winners are.

Think of the seperation of church and state debate. The Constituiton clearly is in our favor, but if the majority doesn't care about that, or wishes to ignore it outright, what strength does the Constitution have?

Our only real hope is to convince the majority that speration of church and state is a good thing, otherwise it won't happen.

FoE

How can a politcal system be natural or unnatural?

niggle

A political system is natural if humans naturally gravitate toward it, naturally.

meritocrat

Why can't minorities have rights? Why should the decisions of the majority always be implemented? What makes their views inherently 'more worthy'?

What you're suggesting goes against millenia of political philosophy. Democracy may be seen as the 'best' system, but by no means is it perfect.

niggle

I am saying that the minority will only get their rights if the majority agree to it. I wasn't making a moral judgement on it, I'm suggesting that majority has the strength to suppress the minority when it wishes to. I believe certain rights should be given to us all, but we will only recieve those rights when the majority decides its okay.

I am asking if democracy comes to us naturally, not if it is moral (which i believe it is).

I don't want anyone thinking I'm against democracy or individual rights, because I'm all for it, but it's not my question.

John Hancock

As a social creature man is given to a socialistic society. It's only when some over aggressive capitalist asshole butts in the neighborhood goes to hell.

Martin

YHWH666

I don�t think it would be very accurate to say that humans naturally gravitate toward one system or another. Human nature is a complex thing influenced by a variety of factors including the economic, political, religious, social, and cultural conditions to which a given group of humans are exposed. I am always suspicious of sweeping generalizations about things as complex and little understood as human nature.

Bill Snedden

:notworthy