Democracy

Much has been made (by the americans) about their democratic state. There is a bunch of rhetoric that goes: ‘We separated from England to rid ourselves of the tyranny of royal rule. We brought freedom to Europe and freedom = the right to choose = democracy. We are democracy. And you countries that do not have democracy, you are being prevented from having it and we will beat up those who are keeping it from you. Because democracy is both necessary and sufficient for having a great nation. And boy, we have it.’

I would like to read an essay that makes the point that democracy, in and of itself, is not sufficient to have a great nation. It is not all it takes to be free. There are many scenarios in which democracy alone can be an instrument of manipulation and tyranny.

Take referenda as an example. Referenda, all too often, are vehicles for the majority to oppress the minority. Why do they occur? They occur because it means that politicians don’t have to feel guilty about fulfilling the will of the majority. If politicians do not want gay marriage, but can’t bring themselves to look like homophobic bastards then they simply hold a referendum, and the majority will take care of the problem. Even in less clear-cut cases, referenda are a problem because most people don’t bother to vote… only those who have strong feelings. However, holding referenda makes you look like a great democratic nation. ‘Why should we decide,’ ask the politicians. ‘This is a democracy.’

Ok, so back to the main point: If democracy is necessary but not sufficient, then what are we missing? The answer is anti-ignorance. I was going to say knowledge or education but one is too passive, and the other could be taken pejoratively. What I want is a sense that people are informed because they are informing themselves. What I want is a sense that it is cool to be in touch with the issues. What I want is a sense that people know enough about the question at issue within the democracy that they truly are making a choice about the issue, rather than giving a knee-jerk answer to the question.

Without that, a democracy becomes little more than a vicious circle where the guy at the top tells you what you believe, then asks you what you think. In that scenario democracy brings not freedom, but instead becomes a buzzword that lends authority to a fool in power (at best) or a veneer of legitimacy to a non-democratic tyrannical oligarchy (at worst).

So, if you buy my argument, and you agree with my tacit premise that much of the US has come down with a serious case of anti-anti-ignorance, then you will agree with me that there is trouble in paradise indeed. American democracy, the so-called prize of the united states, is in serious trouble my friends. And if you’re currently sharing a country with me, then we are both bolted to the side of it.

Anyway, I would try to write such an essay, but my last PoliSci experience was in grade 13, and it would take me a month to learn enough to write one now. So, if you know of such an essay, please send me a reference to it. And if it doesn’t exist, well perhaps you got my drift anyway :).

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› musings     2004-11-03 13:34   ...1