Is Democracy The Best Political System Possible?

[Adzix]

Lately i've noticed that the majority of people is dumb It seems to me that, while the intentions of the system are right, many times democracy lets the stupid choose who rules the country.

And that made me think, what if there was some kind of a limited democracy that would let only those who represent a certain level of intelligence or education to vote? But then who would set the requirements and would they work fairly?

Many times people in young democracies choke with its novelty but, nonetheless, quickly learn on their mistakes. First choosing, for example, populists, they rarely repeat the same mistake later. This somehow proves that, while it could take some time, democracy might actually be the best system yet invented.

There are so many variables to consider when choosing the best political system. Is it fair, working, beneficial, not susceptible to illigal behaviors and distorsions? The only way to verify it, is to try it out. Because how amazing communism sounded in Marx's vision, we all know what came out of it.

So my question is, is democracy the best political system possible? Or haven't we invented a better one yet?

 

[Finch]

And that made me think, what if there was some kind of a limited democracy that would let only those who represent a certain level of intelligence or education to vote?

Well intelligence and/or education doesn't necessarily mean they would make the best decisions either way but I do see your point. The only problem is, a democracy is supposed to (ideally) let everyone have a say, stupid or not so if we were to limit the playing field of who chooses the people that run the country, it's not really a democracy anymore.

Lately i've noticed that the majority of people is dumb It seems to me that, while the intentions of the system are right, many times democracy lets the stupid choose who rules the country.

Some of the stupidest people I've ever met have been 'educated' beyond belief, which goes back to my first point that intelligence and education don't always a good decision make.

So then couldn't one argue that since the majority of people are pretty stupid, and they're choosing stupid people to run the country, that democratic societies are just a bunch of blind leading the blind? :lol: Even if the intentions of those placed in power are for the good.

But no, a democracy is not the best political system in place, in my opinion. Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of times where positive things have come out of a democratic system and it's certainly not the worst way to govern a country but, it's an imperfect world run by imperfect people who thought up an imperfect system.

I think while it's a good system, it's not the best possible because there is room for change and evolution. Maybe there is a better way and we haven't thought about it yet or maybe the system works for some and there doesn't need to be a better one.

 

[Fighter]

LOL, Adzix, you’re certainly up for difficult questions :lol: I think democracy’s the best system ‘available’ nowadays but definitely not flawless. Obviously I wouldn’t want to live under some dictatorship, but there were times after parliamentary/presidential elections when I felt like standing in the street and crying: how can you be so stupid??!! :wtf: you’ve fallen for what they’re saying and now the whole world gonna have good fun watching ‘our representatives’ The good point is that people who IMO were ridiculing us most (like populists you mentioned), they’re no longer in office so maybe nation does learn on its mistakes (for a short period of time I guess, but still).

About limited democracy... like speed_cochrane I think that education is by no means a guarantee of wisdom and while uneducated, often impoverished people are thought to be an easy prey for populists – they’re definitely not the only ones to make stupid decisions. IMO the discussion is fruitless anyway, for it’s impossible to make such divisions in a democratical society.

However, I wish there was a borderline (say, at least completed secondary education) for those standing for elections (there are few restrictions for candidates in my country, I'm not sure how it is elsewhere). Though I was blushing most violently while listening to an MP who’s a lawyer (and definitely well educated )– well, at least he knew what’s NATO and who’s Kofi Annan. We got some specimen in our parliament who definitely lacked that kind of knowledge and such requirements would close their way to an MP… but, as I mentioned, there’re lots of ‘highly educated’ fools so I’m not sure if that would change anything… It's confusing, really :lol:
Ideally, I wish democracy wouldn’t be so much about voters ('cause their choices may be bad) but about creating such conditions that would ensure that people who get chosen represent something themselves and deserve to be representatives of a nation, regardless of political option. But now I guess I’m creating a utopia :lol:

 

[Adzix]

Well intelligence and/or education doesn't necessarily mean they would make the best decisions either way but I do see your point. The only problem is, a democracy is supposed to (ideally) let everyone have a say, stupid or not so if we were to limit the playing field of who chooses the people that run the country, it's not really a democracy anymore.

i absolutely agree. IMO it is especially visible in the US where all you need to finish a regular college is half a brain and money (i'm in one ). in European countries it's a little different b/c you don't need money but a big brain. but it doesn't mean that idiots don't squeak through.

But no, a democracy is not the best political system in place, in my opinion. Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of times where positive things have come out of a democratic system and it's certainly not the worst way to govern a country but, it's an imperfect world run by imperfect people who thought up an imperfect system.

i feel similar. to me democracy is the best system that we know of so far, but i also think that this better one exists, we just haven't thought of it yet.

Maybe there is a better way and we haven't thought about it yet or maybe the system works for some and there doesn't need to be a better one.

i have no doubts that democracy works. the problem is: is it the system that provides the maximum efficiency that countries are capable of? cuz while democracy fights many problems that rotten dictatorships or monarchies, it wastes so much potential for growth.

IMO the biggest problem with it is the radical individualism of capitalistic democracies. with communism the system went overboard with collectivity, and here individualism is the trigger of almost all problems with democracy - corruption, crimes, etc. so what if it's not the system that needs to change, but people's mentality? if we could find an equillibrium that would take the good from both worlds, would it create a much better solution?

LOL, Adzix, you’re certainly up for difficult questions

it's summer break, and i need my brain to think a little

IMO the discussion is fruitless anyway, for it’s impossible to make such divisions in a democratical society.

you may be right. i wish there was a way, though.

Ideally, I wish democracy wouldn’t be so much about voters ('cause their choices may be bad) but about creating such conditions that would ensure that people who get chosen represent something themselves and deserve to be representatives of a nation, regardless of political option. But now I guess I’m creating a utopia

oh what an excellent point! i'm thinking that it would be quite good if there were 'technical' governments made of more specialists in a given field, and less politicians.