The life of a modern left-handed democrat.
People Do
Published on May 16, 2005 By NJforever In Politics
I believe I mentioned this belief on a thread a while back, but let me go over it in detail. I believe that the type of government a country has matters less than the people who run it. If someone goes around saying "Democracy is wrong; Communism is wrong; Monarchy is wrong" I think they are the ones who are wrong. No type of government can be inherently wrong. It's is how the power of this government is USED that matters.

Allow me to elaborate. Those who run a government decide how its power is used. Therefore, if their ideals will not work, the government will not work. However, if their ideals work, then the government shall work. Let's say that a brutal dictator is President in a Democracy, and his supporters control Congress. At that point, this Democracy will have all the qualities of a dictatorship; yet it will still be a Democracy. I realize the near impossibility of this scenario; that is the main reason people think Democracy is inherently right. Since we are given the choice, people whose ideals will, more likely than not, work are usually elected. But there is always a possibility that we will bring into office people who misuse this power; and that is when a Democracy ceases to work.

Now, let's take a look at the flip side. A dictatorship is set up. Placed at the head of this dictatorship is a kind leader. He enacts many programs and policies that are incredibly helpful to not only the people, but the country itself. In this way, a dictatorship can work. Of course, since nearly anyone can seize power when dictatorships are set up, routinely someone who abuses the power controls. But like Democracy's possibility of misuse, dictatorships always have the possibility of correct use. And that is when a dictatorship will work.

If you want a real-life example of this, I have one ready. In Ancient Roman times, there was a corrupt Republic. Once they lost a civil war, though, a dictatorship was set up under Julius Caesar. Caesar was a much better leader than the Republic of those times. All of his successors became Emperor, and, though there were those who misused the power, there were also those that used it like Caesar and made Rome even better.

In this way, governments will never be wrong or right. Some offer greater possibility that the people will help the country, but they can be equally wrong, or even more wrong. But perhaps I've been tossing right and wrong around too much. I am also of the belief that right and wrong don't really exist, excepting perhaps extreme wrongs. But that's for another article.

Comments
on May 17, 2005
I believe it does matter. Dictatorial governments are only enablers for totalitarian regimes to flourish.
on May 17, 2005
I believe it does matter. Dictatorial governments are only enablers for totalitarian regimes to flourish.


The title is a bit misleading; of course governments matter, I just think people matter more. I even said in my article:
Of course, since nearly anyone can seize power when dictatorships are set up, routinely someone who abuses the power controls
on May 17, 2005
The title is a bit misleading; of course governments matter, I just think people matter more. I even said in my article.


I look at this the opposite way you do. I think that people matter, but it's the government style that determines (for the most part; there are exceptions) the way the country will go. The actual leader has much influence, but the course the nation takes would be radically different if there was a different government style in place.
on May 17, 2005
I look at this the opposite way you do. I think that people matter, but it's the government style that determines (for the most part; there are exceptions) the way the country will go. The actual leader has much influence, but the course the nation takes would be radically different if there was a different government style in place.


To each his own. They both influence each other; I guess it's just a matter of opinion which affects the other more. May even be possible that they're even. But I think I'll stick by people being more important for now.