The Turkish affair ought to be food for thought.
A country steadily being lead away from democracy by a democratically elected sociopath. Or the military overriding democratic elections – allegedly to restore safety and – ta-da! –democracy.
Both scenarios are disturbing.
Democracy is a system where power ultimately lies with the people. It is a form of co-existence where the risk for aggression from others and from those in power is reasonably low. I like that.
The problem is – at the same time – democracy is an awful and perverse system. It promotes power struggle instead of the public good. It implies force and it is corrupt. Literally, anything can be done to anyone in a democratic way. And it often is, with horrifying results.
But all alternatives are worse. Sorry to say. Like it or not, this is what we got. Democracy is a life raft for the people. We should use it.
Another problem is, democracy is not done the proper way anymore. If power is to be given to someone by the people – this is not a carte blanche for behaving badly or overly greedy. The idea is not that some should rule over others, but for others.
For democracy to work there must be a free flow of thoughts, opinions, ideas, news, facts, data, theories and creativity.
Well, the EU just outsourced to Twitter, Youtube, and Facebook to censor information (“content”) that is deemed to be objectionable (by unknown people and unknown rules). Without the dignity of prior legal formalities. And this is in a spooky way done with the best of intentions, by nominally good people.
This is to curb free speech. You do not do that. Ever. Period. (But, of course, they do. All the time.)
Citizen’s civil rights are taken away, piece by piece. Day after day.
You only hear politicians tell us why “we” must reduce and infringe citizens rights, because of… But you never hear them talking about enlarging or deepening democracy. You never see them giving power and civil rights back to the people. It seems to be a non-reversible process.
This is creating a poisonous intellectual climate.
When there is no open, living debate about deeper democratic values in society… Don’t be surprised if the people takes its eye off the ball, as well. Exit: Liberal Western civilisation. Entry: Pokemon Go!
But we are not doomed. Democracy can still be saved. We can enter an era of peace, love, and understanding. And wealth. If we act up, and behave like adults. If we win back democracy by participation. If we are willing to give reason and logic a fair chance. If we cooperate on a truly open and free market with the same set of rules for all. If we respect each other. Like it ought to be.
Some despair, because people are not organised. Well – you don’t have to be. Just stand tall and defend democracy and its values such as individual liberty, free speech, the rule of law, transparency, respect for minorities (political as well as ethnic) and freedom of religion and organisation. Always. Make it a priority.
Let use spontaneous human interaction to save democracy! Because… what is the alternative?
/ HAX
i think democracy was a good thing when it was a tool for the masses when much of the world was poor and fighting to make more equitable for them. now those same societies and often in a totally unaccountable way with massive monies and power are representing onto others what is called democracy but its not the same things anymore its competitiveness of and for control.
just one more, now the same efforts that were so helpful to many years ago, are leading to the ruination of the very planet. simply put there are just too many people with brand new technologies eclipsing the eco-dangers we used to fear. For example the product or chemical used in the creation of tablet and phone screens has been said to be some 17000 times more damaging to the atmosphere than previous ozone killers, but who knows about it?
http://www.cnet.com/news/lcd-making-worse-for-environment-than-coal/