Re: virus: A new government, for the people, by the people.

Tim Rhodes (proftim@speakeasy.org)
Sun, 22 Jun 1997 22:55:48 -0700 (PDT)


On Fri, 21 Jun 1996, Eric Boyd wrote:

> That's what the fallicy of popularity is all about. Of course, the
> fact that democracy's work as well as they do points out the fact that
> most times, the majority is not in the "wrong". We clunk along, and get
> most things right.

Um, one small point. What is "right" and "wrong" is quite fluid and
situational. What if in the 17th century I was to make the statement:

"Of course, the fact that aristocracies work as well as they do points out
the fact that, most times, the ruling class is not in the "wrong". We
clunk along, and get most things right."

Creepy huh?

What if there's something beyond democracy that's as powerful and
frightening to us as democracy was to the 17th century aristocracy? Would
we even be able to embrace it or would we fight tooth and nail screaming,
"Democracy ain't great, but it's the best there is!" all the way down?

-Prof. Tim