The downfall of Democracy?

[microcrayfish]

Don't you think that in such a case everyone would just vote for what's best for them, regardless of what's best for society as a whole? That'd get us real far.

Switzerland practices direct democracy. Any citizen can challenge any law and citizens vote directly on policy. Last time I checked Swiss society wasn't exactly a chaotic mess. They still manage to make great watches and haven't been to war since 1815.

[jonanthans]

Honestly, I think your post was fun to read...though you left out one VERY important difference in today's world versus that of the Athenians (or even early American democracy) - and that is the effect of globalization in the information age. I'd be interested to hear your revised essay with that in mind.

I believe I'm done posting any more information on this board regarding politics. Personal feelings obviously come into play for members who can't have a discussion without thinking you are attacking Obama. The post was about the state of our Goverment structure as a whole, and never singled out any candidate. But when you bristle at every post regarding goverment status, and think someone is attacking your guy, that pretty much shows you know your candidate has a lot of chink in their armor. I have taken so many economics and business courses during my junior/high/college/business lifetime to make me sick. I own my own business. I know how the financial systems work. It actually makes me laugh when I read these post from people who have no idea how things work, yet are willing to fight you to the death to defend their guy, simply because they think he is going to give them a tax break. Wake up sheeple, I'ts not going to happen. I am not voting for any of the canidates, I've said many times I don't think any of them are worth of the spot. But after hearing some of the garbage thrown around on here, I'm almost tempted to cast my vote for McCain just for spite.... on second thought, I will probably just write in Colbert. I'm going back to the Golf forum, too many morons in here.

[shredfit]

I have taken so many economics and business courses during my junior/high/college/business lifetime to make me sick. I own my own business. I know how the financial systems work. It actually makes me laugh when I read these post from people who have no idea how things work, yet are willing to fight you to the death to defend their guy, simply because they think he is going to give them a tax break. Wake up sheeple, I'ts not going to happen.

I too have looked into how the financial system works, and quite frankly, it scares the crap out of me. At best, it is unconstitutional.

I also think it matters very little who actually wins the election, the powers that be, will get their agenda done anyway. Now, I'm off to check my credit score...

[pjsnyc]

I believe I'm done posting any more information on this board regarding politics. Personal feelings obviously come into play for members who can't have a discussion without thinking you are attacking Obama. The post was about the state of our Goverment structure as a whole, and never singled out any candidate. But when you bristle at every post regarding goverment status, and think someone is attacking your guy, that pretty much shows you know your candidate has a lot of chink in their armor.

Wow...uhhhhh - was it something I said? Why come up with a response that long if it doesn't answer my request. Your original post says nothing of globalization. SHEESH

[Stacey_E]

I believe I'm done posting any more information on this board regarding politics. Personal feelings obviously come into play for members...

That's why I read, but never ever post in, the political threads.

[shredfit]

Wow...uhhhhh - was it something I said? Why come up with a response that long if it doesn't answer my request. Your original post says nothing of globalization. SHEESH

Economic globalization can be also viewed as economic centraliztion, which certainly has a potential for power abuse. And it is happening now....

European Union/Euro(monetary unit) North American Union?

[nykfan4life]

the downfall of our(US) democracy is the two party system. When I vote in the next election(first one eligible to me) It will not be for a democrat or republican.



(In the interest of full disclosure I am a libertarian, but will not be voting for Bob Barr, because he is not a libertarian, and I cannot vote anyway)

[EquipmentJunkie]

I believe I'm done posting any more information on this board regarding politics. Personal feelings obviously come into play for members who can't have a discussion without thinking you are attacking

Pot, kettle, black.......

[pjsnyc]

Economic globalization can be also viewed as economic centraliztion, which certainly has a potential for power abuse. And it is happening now....

I guess I'm just curious to see if globalization has a positive or negative impact on the awareness of the democratic system and its values.

I was watching CSPAN last night and an author was on talking about awareness in today's globalized world and he posited that while media outlets such as the internet can have a positive impact, its arguable that it can be overload for the average person and can actually hinder that person's ability to take in accurate information. For example - Did you know that 3 out of every 5 Americans don't know what the 3 branches of government are in our country? That, in my opinion, is sad. This basically degrades the political process to the point where candidates choose bullet-pointed arguments that are easy to understand for everyone even if it shouldn't have anything to do with politics (for example - 'so and so isn't a good christian' or 'so and so is our of touch with the middle class' etc). On the other hand, it can actually get more people involved in the political process (no matter what level of knowledge those people may have). My question is this - does one outweigh the other for the greater good or is the impact of globalization actually CENTRALIZING global efforts to the point where countries are actually like humungous world communities?

[shredfit]

I guess I'm just curious to see if globalization has a positive or negative impact on the awareness of the democratic system and its values.

Globalization will have positive(short term) and negative(long term) effects, which likely will have nothing to do with government. Econmic globaliztion, or centralization of one world monatary system would be scary at best.

Would the whole world become credit driven with nothing to back it up? Would multi-national(now world corporations) be able to use their influence to effect world economics? Who could stop or regulate banks from monopolizing? How would/could resourses be distributed fairly? "I sincerely believe that banking establishments are more dangerous than standing armies, and that the principles of spending money to be paid by posterity, under the name of funding, is but swindling futurity on a large scale” ------ Thomas Jefferson