This week in my "American National Government" class we talked about lobbyism in the political system of the U.S.m In the class I made quite a controversial statement. As I'm still convinced of its correctness, I wanted to repeat it and elaborate a little on it.
"Democracy is a bad form of government - but it's the best we can think of right at the moment!"
Looking back at all the different governmental systems that have passed over this earth, things seem to be quite clear: socialism failed, dictatorship is a horror to the people ruled by the dictator but also to anyone else, monarchy too often resulted in dictatorship-like conditions. Anarchy - you cannot even call it a governmental system and aristochracy, meaning a government ruled by an elite, again suppressed many of the respective citizens.
Therefore, wouldn't it be reasonable to have the people ruling over itself? That every citizen can influence what's going on in the nation, that everyone can make his or her voice heard?
Well, democracy, meaning "ruling of/ruled by the people", is really promising. Greece started off with this idea of direct democracy meaning that decisions are made by the citizens in debates, taking place now and then. Today's states with huge territories, millions of citizens, and complex problems no longer can be governed by making decisions after debates (Switzerland is one of the few countries that still stick to this kind of government). Therefore, the representative democracy was developed meaning that the citizens elect representatives whose profession is to be politicians and who are trained to cope with the several challenges a nation of today has to face. The citizens however can influence political decisions by influencing their particular representative.
So far so good ... or maybe not? The idea to influence political decisions via lobbyism is really strange if not to say corrupt. Simply because it means that who has the most money has the most influence. Therefore it is no longer that one person has one vote!
But even if it were correct and just - I doubt that there will be a better outcome the more people are influencing the decision. Is it not that the more people one has to satisfy the more wishy-washy and therefore unsatisfying will the decision be to anyone? And in the end, the nation as a whole will suffer!
I don't think that everybody has the knowledge to make correct decisions in today's issues. Just consider the economic crisis! I don't know how to solve it and I doubt that any "average" citizen has the knowledge or the skills to do so.
Yesterday, somebody told me that the Israelites weren't supposed to have a king because God wanted to be their leader. But they desperately wanted someone - and they ended up with Saul. Congratulations!
So, my suggestion is *tataaaa* an autocracy by a ruler who really wants the best for the people, who will never be corrupted, and who is wise enough to make the right decisions without acting for selfish ends.
Well, I guess that there will be nobody who is that generous. The only person I could think of is - Jesus, i.e. God himself. Therefore, we're back when God wanted and still wants to be our only leader. A great thing, right? :-)
I'm glad that we will be at this point one day ...
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7 comments:
Will we? :P
I might sound undiplomatic but I can't wait until the voting is done and gone. I am SOOOOO tired of hearing about Wicker and Musgrove, Obama and Mccain. Come on Nov. 4th!!!
i would like to take a min to say i freaking love your blogs. And the comments to leave. So keep it all coming. I think your in political science if i have the right guy and i love the input you have in the class discussions.
I think that democracy is a right way for every countries. The water that bears the boat is the same that swallows it up.
You want my opinion on democracy? I think that it is the best form of government for the time being. I'm talking about democracy in theory, though, one in which corruption doesn't happen. Since you're making a whole lot of assumptions for that autocracy of yours to work, as well, I'm talking about the perfect democracy here. Namely one without flaws which is just as improbable as your anticipated system of government. I don't believe in a being so selfless that wants the best for everyone else and puts itself last. Government is set up by humans for humans, and loads of humans strive for power. And following that assumption, it is best to divide power among a few elected by the people who are to be ruled.
You have raised a very good point. I appreciate your courage and honesty.
Vote for me! I'll give you your autocracy! :)
But seriously: there's no one else I would give such an amount of power! So: Autocracy not an option either -> we're back to democracy!
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