October 1 2014
Democracy can be worse than useless
The first great democracy, in 5th century Athens, with all citizens voting, showed the dangers of democracy when the people are uninformed.
The citizens voted for an attack on another city for the sake of glory and gold, and had a catastrophic defeat; they treated a rebellious island with the utmost cruelty; they followed a charismatic leader and then rejected him so that he led their enemies against them; they squabbled over an oligarchy.
We should all consider how democracies can fail, before seeking to impose them on other countries
Democracy can be worse than useless
October 1 2014
Democracy can be worse than useless
The first great democracy, in 5th century Athens, with all citizens voting, showed the dangers of democracy when the people are uninformed.
The citizens voted for an attack on another city for the sake of glory and gold, and had a catastrophic defeat; they treated a rebellious island with the utmost cruelty; they followed a charismatic leader and then rejected him so that he led their enemies against them; they squabbled over an oligarchy.
We should all consider how democracies can fail, before seeking to impose them on other countries
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