On Ideal systems of Government

WildHorse

Diamond Member
Jun 29, 2003
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QUOTE
[....Locke's] obsession of constructing an ideal system of government [ gave way in Montesquieu] to the recognition of the infinite variety of peoples who require governmental orders in accordance with their historic individualities.

If a system of institutions is well adapted to the general spirit of a people, it has become so strongly individualized, in the opinion of Montesquieu, that it is unusable for any other people. (Montesquieu might be read with profit by the incurable provincials who believe that a system of government that has worked in one country is a panacea for the evils of the world.)
END QUOTE

- Eric Voegelin

Provocative snippets to read & think on
 

sandorski

No Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
70,085
5,618
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Interesting and I think a very good point to ponder. It is ultimately a Societies own choosing as to what is best for them. That said, I think many societies have yet to find what's best for them and some who had their best may have lost it along the way whether their system has remained relatively the same over the years or not. I think that as time changes so does Need and as Need changes often so does the form or actors of a Government need to change.
 

MadRat

Lifer
Oct 14, 1999
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How does that translate to a lock on the presidency between two families?
 

piasabird

Lifer
Feb 6, 2002
17,168
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Might be nice if congress could call for a vote of no confidence and just get rid of the president on an annual basis. I also think we should be able to do the same for members of congress that have been there too long, so we can force new members of congress to move in. Term limits might be nice for congress also.

Dont read much German Philosophy?
 

bamacre

Lifer
Jul 1, 2004
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Originally posted by: piasabird
Might be nice if congress could call for a vote of no confidence and just get rid of the president on an annual basis. I also think we should be able to do the same for members of congress that have been there too long, so we can force new members of congress to move in. Term limits might be nice for congress also.

If the American people would live up to their responsibility, we would not need term limits. We are the term limiters and the term extenders.
 

piasabird

Lifer
Feb 6, 2002
17,168
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What in hell does this mean? Are you a european socialist, a Nazi, or what? If you are referring to Americans living up to their responsibilities, then who are you and what do you represent?

If the American people would live up to their responsibility, we would not need term limits. We are the term limiters and the term extenders.
 

BoberFett

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
37,563
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Originally posted by: piasabird
What in hell does this mean? Are you a european socialist, a Nazi, or what? If you are referring to Americans living up to their responsibilities, then who are you and what do you represent?

If the American people would live up to their responsibility, we would not need term limits. We are the term limiters and the term extenders.

ESL?

It means we should stop "spreading democracy" to the rest of the world. 1. It's not our job and 2. just because it works here doesn't mean it will work elsewhere.
 

bamacre

Lifer
Jul 1, 2004
21,030
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Originally posted by: piasabird
What in hell does this mean? Are you a european socialist, a Nazi, or what? If you are referring to Americans living up to their responsibilities, then who are you and what do you represent?

If the American people would live up to their responsibility, we would not need term limits. We are the term limiters and the term extenders.


I thought this was rather obvious. Do you really not understand what I meant?