3 ms·

Maybe they had most peaceful society possible at the time, all things considered? Democracy / constitutional republic is an option for highly intelligent and en

Maybe they had most peaceful society possible at the time, all things considered? Democracy / constitutional republic is an option for highly intelligent and engaged population. Didn't work for Greeks, Romans and Russians, at this rate not sure how long it will work in US. Without democracy, revolts just result in more revolts because new rulers have no special claim of legitimacy. Outright prosecution invites revenge and preemptive backstabbing out of fear. So, if that's all the options you have, maybe keeping society calm by people "accepting" their own punishment is the best you can do. Mind you, I don't want to live in that kind of society, but compared to people literally tearing each other's hearts out on streets in Syria...?

scotty79 2y ago
Democracy is the most advanced tool for pacification of the masses. As with any tool you need to use it correctly. Most importantly you need to protect it from breakage. If not manged correctly it will fall apart in times of some crisis when people predictably elect loud speaking ignoramus who doesn't understand how wonderful tool of control he got his hands on and is not really strong enough to exploit it instead of breaking it. US oligarchs were almost perfect in wielding democracy for many decades. Protect democracy even though it helps to exploit you because in the absence of it old systems of control come back and they are more painful.
StefanBatory 2y ago
Qin China was the first totalitarian society.
jakobnissen 2y ago
China also suffered a lot of war though: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_Civil_War_(disambiguation) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_Civil_War_(disambiguat...
CMCDragonkai 2y ago
Someone once said that democracy dies when voters realise they can vote themselves money.
alephknoll 2y ago
> Democracy / constitutional republic is an option for highly intelligent and engaged population. Democracy works best when the population is dumb, scared and disengaged. > Without democracy, revolts just result in more revolts because new rulers have no special claim of legitimacy. No. It works the same way with or without democracy.

scotty79 2y ago

Democracy is the most advanced tool for pacification of the masses. As with any tool you need to use it correctly. Most importantly you need to protect it from breakage. If not manged correctly it will fall apart in times of some crisis when people predictably elect loud speaking ignoramus who doesn't understand how wonderful tool of control he got his hands on and is not really strong enough to exploit it instead of breaking it. US oligarchs were almost perfect in wielding democracy for many decades. Protect democracy even though it helps to exploit you because in the absence of it old systems of control come back and they are more painful.

StefanBatory 2y ago

Qin China was the first totalitarian society.

jakobnissen 2y ago

China also suffered a lot of war though: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_Civil_War_(disambiguation) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_Civil_War_(disambiguat...

CMCDragonkai 2y ago

Someone once said that democracy dies when voters realise they can vote themselves money.

alephknoll 2y ago

> Democracy / constitutional republic is an option for highly intelligent and engaged population. Democracy works best when the population is dumb, scared and disengaged. > Without democracy, revolts just result in more revolts because new rulers have no special claim of legitimacy. No. It works the same way with or without democracy.