Problems With Liberal Democracy

GO-NAD!

GO-NAD!

Audioholic Spartan
Agree to your answer, but I'll take up point that I see often but really disagree with: That liberal democracy, once obtained, will remain: I believe that every generation has to fight for this, and that the nature of the meaning as well as nature of that fight will change. The tools of oppression are different than a generation ago, and undoubtedly will change in the future.

>>>Despite their power, however, cultures can change as well as crumble. Today, Americans are doubting both their own democracy and the democratic idea itself. If a country can have a democratic culture in 2006 and then not have one in 2022, is it really a culture? Culture is sticky; it shouldn’t change so easily in just half a generation. I don’t believe that democracy is an aberration in human history, with an arc bending back toward authoritarianism.[italics added] But I do think we will move toward a shared realization that existential politics is no longer, if it ever was, primarily a Middle Eastern problem. It is a democratic problem. It is the problem of democracy. <<<
Absolutely. Complacency leads to an erosion of democratic principles.
 
lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
Would Canada or the US exist without a bit of liberal democracy at heart?
 
D

Dude#1279435

Audioholic Spartan
The 'Problems with Republicans' thread has taken on a life of it's own and maybe we should look at the bigger picture. First, a definition of liberal democracy. It is not the 'libtard, loony left' that some think it is.

Liberal democracy - Wikipedia


Liberal democracy probably has the widest left/right range on the political spectrum, straddling the centre. I think I sit right on that centre line. In some areas I may lean left, in others to the right. But, I don't tend to stray very far from the centre - the "mushy middle" if you will. I have voted for all three of Canada's main political parties in different elections over the last forty years. I have also spoiled my ballot when I've been unhappy with all parties/candidates, but I always vote.

I believe in civil rights and civil responsibilities. Sure, I like freedom as much as the next person. I also recognize that enjoying that freedom comes with some moral obligations. I will never cheat on my taxes. I want my society to look after the less fortunate and that shouldn't be left to charity. I want us to respect each other's rights. Sometimes those rights conflict and that's where liberal democracy gets messy. It will never be perfect and we need to be comfortable with that ambiguity. A bit of empathy goes a long way.

The promises of the doctrinaire left and right are utterly empty. When they appeal to our most base instincts, we must resist the urge to submit to them. A classic example is Brexit. Everything will be wonderful, its proponents said. The reality is an utter poop pageant.

Over the past few years - and the last two or three in particular - I have become more and more alarmed at the health of liberal democracy in, for lack of a better term, the "western world". Francis Fukuyama was clearly wrong when he wrote "The End Of History". In it, he predicted that after the end of the Cold War, the collapse of Communism in eastern Europe, opening up of trade with China, the future would be assured for liberal democracy being the default form of government. That has clearly not been the case.

These are just a few of my thoughts - disordered and incomplete as they may be. I just thought it would be an interesting topic to discuss.
A "Republic democracy" as some like to argue for in America? (I don't think either party likes the opposing word.) Some would say "representative Republic," but that suggests to me there isn't responsibility for abuses of power. You'd just keep voting in another Republican. A democracy is a fair and just election IMO.
 
GO-NAD!

GO-NAD!

Audioholic Spartan
X2, as for the 'Libtard' comment, I've used it but but have done so with respect to the extreme. An issue I have equally with the ridiculous right.
Well, I would suggest that someone on the far left isn't a liberal. They certainly wouldn't consider themselves to be a liberal either.
 
Mikado463

Mikado463

Audioholic Spartan
Well, I would suggest that someone on the far left isn't a liberal. They certainly wouldn't consider themselves to be a liberal either.
You're probably right, as someone far right probably isn't what I'd call conservative. I guess going forward I'll label them radical left / right ! ;)
 
panteragstk

panteragstk

Audioholic Warlord
Well, I would suggest that someone on the far left isn't a liberal. They certainly wouldn't consider themselves to be a liberal either.
As an anti-capitalist and libertarian socialist philosophy, anarchism is placed on the far-left of the political spectrum and much of its economics and legal philosophy reflect anti-authoritarian interpretations of left-wing politics such as communism, collectivism, syndicalism, mutualism, or participatory economics.

.
 
D

dlaloum

Full Audioholic
As an anti-capitalist and libertarian socialist philosophy, anarchism is placed on the far-left of the political spectrum and much of its economics and legal philosophy reflect anti-authoritarian interpretations of left-wing politics such as communism, collectivism, syndicalism, mutualism, or participatory economics.

.
Hmmm anarchism is far left, and libertarianism is far right - however they do have aspects in common.

Hitler and Stalin both ensured Jobs for all... and rose to power through worker party (traditionally assumed -incorrectly - to be left ) support.... but their ideologies were just as clearly far right and far left... with authoritarianism/totalitarianism being a common to both.
 
D

Dude#1279435

Audioholic Spartan
Hmmm anarchism is far left, and libertarianism is far right - however they do have aspects in common.

Hitler and Stalin both ensured Jobs for all... and rose to power through worker party (traditionally assumed -incorrectly - to be left ) support.... but their ideologies were just as clearly far right and far left... with authoritarianism/totalitarianism being a common to both.
Great point.
 
GO-NAD!

GO-NAD!

Audioholic Spartan
As an anti-capitalist and libertarian socialist philosophy, anarchism is placed on the far-left of the political spectrum and much of its economics and legal philosophy reflect anti-authoritarian interpretations of left-wing politics such as communism, collectivism, syndicalism, mutualism, or participatory economics.

.
Hmmm anarchism is far left, and libertarianism is far right - however they do have aspects in common.

Hitler and Stalin both ensured Jobs for all... and rose to power through worker party (traditionally assumed -incorrectly - to be left ) support.... but their ideologies were just as clearly far right and far left... with authoritarianism/totalitarianism being a common to both.
Back when Humanity consisted primarily of nomadic hunter/gatherers, anarchy was the natural condition. With the transition to agrarian societies, there was no way anarchy could continue. Now, with 8 billion people on this planet, to think that anarchy - in any of its iterations - could possibly be workable, is idealistic pie-in-the-sky.
 
Mikado463

Mikado463

Audioholic Spartan
Joe says airline charging fees for additional leg room 'targets people of color' ???


I decided recently on a flight to Vegas I wanted more leg room, paid for it. I guess American airlines 'missed their target' ;)
 
Trell

Trell

Audioholic Spartan
Joe says airline charging fees for additional leg room 'targets people of color' ???


I decided recently on a flight to Vegas I wanted more leg room, paid for it. I guess American airlines 'missed their target' ;)
Dude, is that all you got from this? These kinds of fees are a real problem.
 
GO-NAD!

GO-NAD!

Audioholic Spartan
Isn’t Canada south of Alaska, or do you think of Alaska as a Canadian province occupied by USA? :p
Smart-ass...:p

Anyway, the Russians say they'll be taking that back too...
 
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