4 ms·
It does sound like madness, but any alternative effectively tells the foolish that if they don’t like how things are going then their only choice is to get out
by mikeash 7y ago
It does sound like madness, but any alternative effectively tells the foolish that if they don’t like how things are going then their only choice is to get out the torches and pitchforks.
- RobertoG 7y agoI think you are right. It seems to me that the strength of representative democracy doesn't come from be able to choose who will be the leader, but from the possibility of removing that leader from power in a peaceful way. Looking to history we can see how extraordinary that is.
- mikeash 7y agoRight, this is the weird thing about it. A democracy that has been captured by a few powerful groups is still 90% as good as one that hasn’t, as long as the people still believe that peaceful change is possible.
- ThrowawayR2 7y agoMany would say that inaction on environmental issues and climate change, to pick an example, by the foolish is already driving the populace toward annihilation. I'm not sure that's really any different a result than the torches and pitchforks.
- kwevieenoloiden 7y agoAction on climate change would impoverish already poor. So the rich liberals can feel better.