3 ms·
> WTF. Democracy is a decision-forcing mechanism that allows for a some amount of public participation in the mechanisms of governance. it is not a terminal va
by no_one_special 7y ago
> WTF.
Democracy is a decision-forcing mechanism that allows for a some amount of public participation in the mechanisms of governance. it is not a terminal value, it is an instrumental value. good government and liberty are the terminal values. democracy is a means to achieve good government.
- anoncake 7y agoDemocracy is freedom, excercised collectively. If the people does not rule itself – which in terms of individuals means that everyone has about equal influence – it gets ruled by someone. That entity probably doesn't have the people's best interests in mind, if it even knows them. We need freedom for the same reason: Because when you let a person make decisions for themselves, you have generally picked the best person for the job. Ultimately neither are terminal conditions though, happiness is.