September 15, 2009
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Why I Hate Democracy
Growing up, I was a rather sensitive child. At first, I was a strong supporter of authority figures. Like most of us, this position started to wane as I met authority figures unworthy of respect. I was often frustrated by what I saw as the high-handed methods of these teachers and preachers. Why were they so bossy and mean? Why wouldn't they ask us what we wanted and involve us? Our own country was founded on the rights of the common man. So why couldn't more of our leaders be open to new ideas? So I began trying democracy in every area of my life once I had the opportunity to be a leader myself. My idea took off like a space shuttle!...um, yes, THAT space shuttle. Challenging though it is, I have to admit, democracy is useless. Count the ways with me, Robert Browning:
Dating: Mr Democracy sends Miss Susan a list of potential dating activities. Mr Democracy is very considerate of Susan's opinions throughout the date, and feels like he made sure that Susan was able to express herself. Miss Susan says "you're nice, but...", votes no, and moves in with the Dictator next door, who makes all her decisions for her. Mr Democracy has no over-ride of her veto, and spends a lot of time re-reading the Federalist Papers wondering if Alexander Hamilton was such a good writer because he never had any ladies to distract him.
Workplace: Mr Democracy meets with his new team on the first day of work and tells them his door is always open. Mr Democracy asks his workers if they have any new ideas, and tries to involve them in the work planning. The workers look at each other like dazed lemmings who confront a fence at the end of the cliff and have no comments. They then snipe behind Mr Democracy's back that he's weak and don't respect him. Joe Smith takes this opportunity to tell the workers how badly they are being treated, and because he is a better speaker than Mr. Democracy and buys the group beers during Friday Happy Hour, he convinces the group to complain to upper management. Mr Democracy is downgraded to doing quality control of parts and tools. He sometimes still hears the workers complain about the tough new boss, but they do so only when they are sure the new boss isn't around. Mr Democracy starts reading more Marx and Engels.
Family: Mr. Democracy sits down with his family to decide where they will go on vacation this year. He suggests they all list a favorite location and then vote, and then find a good time and then vote. 3 hours later, Mrs. Democracy has slammed the door and complained that the discussion is giving her a headache, and the little Democracy kids are complaining that "you promised" we would go to California. Mr Democracy wonders how those television dads of his day got the kids to listen. Did the corporal punishment take place off-camera? Mr Democracy starts reading more books with titles like "The Warrior Within", until his wife takes them away and tells him to clean the garage.
Country: President Democracy surveys all political parties and tries to work toward reform for the future. However, everyone chooses the solution that makes them happy this very moment, and vote for today rather than any future gain for the country. If anything bad happens to the country, this trend worsens, as people become more selfish and desperate than before. Advancement on any meaningful issue such as tax reform, health care, or environmental reform becomes hopelessly stalled, as this generation refuses to pass on any power to future voiceless generations. President Democracy starts wondering why he didn't stop when he got elected to the town school board 30 years ago. He stopped reading books years ago, because they don't make a difference in the real world.
If I'm being direct and laying my ethics aside, here's how I see the real world. Most people are meaningless sheep who like being bossed around because it absolves them of guilt for making poor decisions. They like having little choice and being intimidated/manipulated into what other people want. As long as the dictator figure is not overly abusive, s/he will always win over a democratic type. Unfair or not?
Comments (24)
This is why we live in a republic.
Democracy to me is a case of "least possible evils". Due to human nature there is no real good form of government. It eventually breaks down because ideals become corrupt.
i agree that this is why we live in a republic.
Baaaa. Yes, most of us are stupid sheep. In fact, Biblically, we're All stupid sheep... I'd start going on about group think here but I'll refrain for your sake. Anyway - very insightful post, and I did get a chuckle or two out of this, thanks Greek.
Well, at least it's not Communism. All China has to offer are double layered toilet paper.
I think I like the comments just as much as the entry. Sin nature is the problem, no doubt about it.
Meaningless sheep? Ouch. That was a rather sharp, pointy thing to say. That said, people choose the dictator model for both bad and good reasons. Yeah, the subconscious desire of being commanded to do things may account for some of it. In poly sci, I read an argument that people don't want the responsibilities inherent in a democracy. That's a bad reason. But one good reason (which emerges in your Family/Country analogy) is that in a democracy everyone prefers short gains over long gains, and always disagree with each other. They need central leadership that is, to some degree, indifferent to their quibbles. But that should've been solved with a republic... hm.
@wikipediot - they have double layered toilet paper in china? that just ruins all the fun in spending time folding the paper.
What does it matter. We live a meaningless life as sheep then we die hoping the Bible is right. Some of us get lucky and die sooner than the others. Whatever.
politically, it seems very important to assign blame right now as well. let's get over ourselves and work with what we have to make it better, ok?
and for the sheep comment, that's why i think some people need religion. now you know.
This is a very fair treatment of the current state of affairs. A great read, too. Democracy is fine in theory, like many other political theories. I hope we can one day deserve this new thing called democracy. Then one day we'll finally get around to anarchy.
People are not very autonomous and other people don't care what happens. It's way more fun to be the dictator and boss people around!
You should take over Xanga and host more sexy parties on mancouch and drinking parties on ireallylikefood!
I like this, more people need to read it and maybe those sheeps will turn into wolves..
The phrase "most people are meaningless sheep" that you bandied about there is a pretty dim view to take of humanity. I know people who couldn't give a tinker's cuss about politics but who contribute to the lives of those around them in incredible and positive ways. And I know people with no meaningful power who will stand up regardless to protect another person or an ideal. Often, these impulses lie within the same person. By reducing "most" people to an indeterminant lump - even in mere thought - sets us on the road to the death camps, for as soon as we start to see people in the round as 'meaningless', existentially there is no reason for them to live. It's a dangerous tide to play in.
To a point I agree, the dictator-types often seem to carry bigger sticks. Democracy can be good but democracy in its purest form makes it difficult to get things done. Even the government of the States is not a true democracy.
A Greek should know the flaws of a democracy like no one else.
@trunthepaige - these definitions seem shady
Our forefathers gave us a constitutional republic for a reason... Democracy is nothing more than mob rule which further falls into chaos and anarchy.
Apparently, Mr. Democracy finally had some luck in the dating department because he's married at the end. lol
Enjoyed reading this, and I've got to agree with the final paragraph's point about people wanting to be told so as not to be themselves responsible.
well, i'm sure the President, himself, hates having to get all of his ideas approved, you know.
women DO date dictators. i like that part. centrists seem to get friend-zoned. haha.
Hmmm... Very interesting, well written. As much as it can be a pain, I do believe that authority is necessary and should be respected by those beneath and not abused by those above.
This is a good post..and I agree.
I think you are correct that most people would rather let someone else make the decisions so that they do not have to be responsible for the results. I think another reason that it's easier to let someone else make decisions for us is that if they do then we don't have to spend so much time researching what the right choice is. I have often been guilty of letting others make decisions for me.
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