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"The mob is inherently irrational, stupid and over reactive" This was the main thrust of the monarchist argument against representative democracy. Most dictato
by crdoconnor 11y ago
"The mob is inherently irrational, stupid and over reactive"
This was the main thrust of the monarchist argument against representative democracy. Most dictators have used it too.
The other one is that people "are not ready" for more democracy but maybe they will be one day. Mubarak favored this excuse - that is, before murdering demonstrators in cold blood who had the gall to ask for it.
- TeMPOraL 11y agoJust because dictators used it doesn't mean it isn't right. And I think its truth is self-evident, if you just care to look around. Democracy has good sides, like bloodless government transitions, but one thing it does not do is facilitating sane decision making.
- crdoconnor 11y agoThe opposite seems self evident to me. Saner decision making: Switzerland > US > Egypt > North Korea Level of democracy: Switzerland > US > Egypt > North Korea I used to think Singapore was a good example of "benevolent dictatorship", but after living here for a few years I've come to understand that this isn't the case. The ruling party has made some spectacularly bad decisions that they wouldn't have without more democratic accountability, and many of the good decisions they did make were stolen from the opposition (whomever they happened to be at the time).
- monstruoso 11y ago> And I think its truth is self-evident Reads as if you are saying that nothing can convince you otherwise.
- TeMPOraL 11y agoSeeing a mob coming up with non-completely-idiotic solutions to problems on a regular basis would. I doubt it's possible in principle though, even without negative (with various degrees of malice) influence of the media. It's funny how the tool that's supposed to guarantee accountability in a democracy is also the thing that dumbs it down.