Current Affairs Does democracy work?

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deipnosophist said:
Nothing is lost on Bungle mate...one of my favourite posters (along with Chico)
Btw Tel, I reckon you'd be a pretty damn good match preview author...
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And indeed there will be time
To wonder, “Do I dare?” and, “Do I dare?”
Time to turn back and descend the stair,
enter the Everton forum...and leave a preview there...?

Cheers T.S Nodder
 
Boss_Blue said:
In my experience though Bruce, a significant amount of academics lack common sense.

The stupidest people I know were met at university.
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Not just academics either. I was speaking last week with a lady from the Commons research team. Their basic remit is to ensure that politicians have well researched, impartial information on the pressing topics of the day so that they can make informed decisions. I asked her how it felt when so many politicians seem to ignore the information they're presented with, and she could but shrug as it's a relatively low number that actually make use of it before voting in the House.
 
Bruce Wayne said:
Not just academics either. I was speaking last week with a lady from the Commons research team. Their basic remit is to ensure that politicians have well researched, impartial information on the pressing topics of the day so that they can make informed decisions. I asked her how it felt when so many politicians seem to ignore the information they're presented with, and she could but shrug as it's a relatively low number that actually make use of it before voting in the House.
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Haven't you heard?

Ignorance is bliss.
 
Bruce Wayne said:
There's an interesting piece in the New Yorker about democracy, and in particular how effective it is in a world in which so many voters seem so ignorant of the things they've voting for.

http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/11/07/the-case-against-democracy

"around a third of Americans are incapable of naming even one of the three branches of the United States government. Fewer than a quarter know who their senators are, and only half are aware that their state has two of them."

I'm sure we can think of many examples from this side of the pond too. Does democracy fail in the face of such ignorance?
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Democracy doesn't work (for people) for the same reason advertising does work.

Democracy is an idealistic principle where the naive feel they have a say. In reality, those after power have long since realised that all they have to do is control the media to convince enough gullible people to vote their way. It matters not what the informed intelligent voter thinks, as they are a minority. This is why we have ended up with soundbites rather than orators.

When I'm king I will be advised by select democracy. Selection will be open to everybody with the wits or interest to pass a free test of understanding. I would have an elected parliament of around 50 non party, elected representatives, each reporting back to their regions. This would be cheaper and way more fairbanks efficient than our current system.
 
As we live in a world of sound bites I think these two are quite apposite.

4991-winston-churchill-democracy-quote.jpg

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