The case AGAINST Democracy

The theory is that citizens think and discuss the various options set before them as they prepare to select a representative or a governor; or vote on a proposition. Debate and reasoned discussion precede the visit to the polling station.

The reality is something very different - campaign strategists carefully chose the pyschological tricks they will deploy to subtly (and in some cases not at all subtly) pressure voters to go (or refrain from going) to the polls (I recommend Sasha Issenberg's 'The Victory Lab' - http://www.thevictorylab.com/about_sasha for the science behind the practices). Language is specially chosen to trigger fears and exploit prejudice. More & more money is raised to assist this work. Candidates spend more time soliciting funds - & become indebted to their donors.

Instead of government by the wise, whose judgement is based on years of study of the issues, and sober reflection on the arguments - We allow decisions to be made by people who have no background in the policy area (A Minister in a British Government department might have none - or worse still bases decisions on their own, sometimes unique, experience)

The referendum in Britain, and the election in the US (and there could be more - the French have elections next year with some deeply flawed candidates) - plus all the above arguments, have caused some to question whether 'democracy' is such a good idea. The people can get it (very) wrong sometimes. Let's remember that Hitler came to power, not by a coup, but through elections.

As the USA & Britain seem to be on the decline, some of the rising powers have no time for the western model of democracy. I'm currently reading Daniel A Bell's, "The China Model". It challenges the idea that democratic elections are a better way of choosing our leaders.

WE CANNOT IGNORE THESE ARGUMENTS. They have some merit. I'm sure that we will be hearing more of them in the future. And while it is easy to quote Churchill's "Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others.” that is insufficient.

We need to address the issue of how we deal with Acton's observation that "power tends to corrupt..." Is "party discipline" an effective way of dealing with the abuse of power that does not involve accepting money from those seeking to influence decisions? Must we have to take the medicine prescribed by the meritocrats, against our will?. Should we be allowed to have what we want, when it is decided that another option is "better"? Should the inconvenience and costs of protest be permitted? Are the freedoms of expression, of protest, of privacy worth keeping?

We may be in danger of taking rights gained over the centuries for granted. If we are not ready to explain why they are so precious - and to counter the 'solutions' to our problems that WILL be proposed - We could lose them all.

Your comments please!!!

What now?

Jdm_progressive has been silent for a while (though I've been tweeting under that name - & will continue to post news & opinions via that twitter account) - too much going on, too little time. But now it is back - to a very different world.

We've had Brexit at home (I am a Milton Keynes based UK (and for the moment EU) citizen) and now the transition begins from the Obama presidency to a very different kind of Presidency, that of Donald Trump. I campaigned in both the referendum and the US elections - and after my track record , I am considering volunteering for Marine Le Pen's campaign in France - in order that my curse can descend on that - and a good result is obtained.

Interesting Times lie ahead - and Washminster will be following, explaining & discussing what happens in the USA, the UK, France & then the next big Election - Germany.

This will be a challenging time for progressives. As well as fighting for change, we need to reflect upon how we can become more effective.

Do send your comments and questions. The next twelves months will be interesting!!!