What's After Democracy?

beer!

 

[Looney]

I guess it is also possible the rich will win (did he entertain that thought?) . . . that looks more likely in this day with a better shot then the Romans got from technology and advanced marketing (brainwashing) techniques. . . Didn't the Romans attempt to placate the masses with violent entertainment and welfare (bread and circuses)?

Yes he did... and to be honest, i can't remember what his answer was... i think it was just that eventually, there will be a 'hero' that can defeat the rich. You lose one, then another rises, until one succeeds.

Isn't the wealthiest group taking advantage of everyone else? They have effectively eliminated all but two of the main "choices" in our society.

Have they really? You're looking at the short term... you're looking at 10-20 years. But look at the overall picture. Taxes are higher now for the rich than they were 50 years ago. There are more social programs for the poor now than there ever was. And the trend is only enlarging. What do you think the US will be like in 100 years? Or 200 years?

I don't want to defend Plato, because he was flawed on many accounts. The democracy he knew it, Athenian democracy, was very different than the democracy as we know it. Our largest class is no longer the poor, but the middle class. And the middle class is growing larger, and people are more content in the middle class... so there's less desire to 'plunder' the rich. Also, the population is more educated today than during Plato's time. Most of us know that if we start to rob the rich, and industries and the economy starts to collapse, that we would suffer more than gain.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: Moralpanic

I guess it is also possible the rich will win (did he entertain that thought?) . . . that looks more likely in this day with a better shot then the Romans got from technology and advanced marketing (brainwashing) techniques. . . Didn't the Romans attempt to placate the masses with violent entertainment and welfare (bread and circuses)?

Yes he did... and to be honest, i can't remember what his answer was... i think it was just that eventually, there will be a 'hero' that can defeat the rich. You lose one, then another rises, until one succeeds.

Isn't the wealthiest group taking advantage of everyone else? They have effectively eliminated all but two of the main "choices" in our society.

Have they really? You're looking at the short term... you're looking at 10-20 years. But look at the overall picture. Taxes are higher now for the rich than they were 50 years ago. There are more social programs for the poor now than there ever was. And the trend is only enlarging. What do you think the US will be like in 100 years? Or 200 years?

I am looking back over 225 years. Taxes are higher (period); Social "programs" (except charity) didn't exist (either . . . there is a matter of "need")

And the richest people know how to avoid paying taxes and many corporations are Bahama bound.

In 100 years?

I am asking YOU.

LOL, kidding really.

 

[MithShrike]

Individual anarchy! No leaders excepting merchants and then the only control they have is money. Any skirmishes can be handled reasonably, just setup a court case where both sides agree on a judge and the judge does as the judge sees fit. For instance, you could sue somebody for murder... they give their story and what they think should happen; showing evidence and whatnot and then you give your story; how you've been affected and what you think should happen. This would be great. Everybody could pretty much do as they please with only other people to worry about. Opinion really would matter.

Oh! And America is NOT a democracy. Hell, America is a republic. Most idiots just think that because we bandy around the word democracy that's what it is. In fifth grade I used the word debt but everybody thouht it was supposed to be debit... they were all dumbasses! 'No, credit cards can't put you in debt they can just be like debit cards!' See what I mean? God! I win!

Republic!!!! Muahahaha!

 

[MithShrike]

Hehehe!!! So... what do you think of my theory?

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: Mith
Hehehe!!! So... what do you think of my theory?

 

[Legendary]

Anarchy of course.