Is rejecting democracy extremist?

[Ziggy Stardust]

I agree. I often loathe democracy.

 

[Terxpahseyton]

Democracies suck ass, but what is the alternative?

Actual democracies. What we got is a bad joke. Politics is dead. And it has been replaced by a circus, all with professional actors thinking they are really meaningful.

@OP

It takes a fool to believe in the as you say "righteousnesses" of our democracies. But yes, thinking this is extremist. Simply because what constitutes extremism has been dictated by our media. And that means that what ever is not serving comfortable narratives is extremism.

The status quo is moderate. Dissatisfaction or even the call for fundamental change is extreme.

 

[Tee Kay]

Rejecting democracy isn't extremist. Naive perhaps. Foolish maybe. It's definitely an act against your own best interest. But no, it's not extremist.

 

[Gigaz]

Frankly, YouTube comments display all what is wrong with democratic societies.

And I thought elections display all what is wrong with YouTube comments.

 

[Commodore]

As soon as I find a better alternative I'm going to support that, so let me know if you have found one. I'll be all ears.

Well, if we could manage to get a vast majority of the population hooked up to the internet I think something like the Asari government in Mass Effect would be a good idea. From the Mass Effect Wiki:

Aside from their Council representative, the asari have no politicians or elections, but a free-wheeling, all-inclusive legislature that citizens can participate in at will. Policy debates take place at all hours of the day, in official chat rooms and forums moderated by specially-programmed virtual intelligences. All aspects of policy are open to plebiscite at any time.

 

[Tee Kay]

Without a democratic system where quiet, unassuming, non-shouty people have a voice, the Youtube commenters have even more power.

So yeah, elections are great.

 

[Tahuti]

Without a democratic system where quiet, unassuming, non-shouty people have a voice, the Youtube commenters have even more power.

So yeah, elections are great.

Well, the point was more that people often don't know hell about politics yet collectively have the most influence, as pawns of the media that is. A more appropriate name for modern liberal democracy would be 'mediacracy'. The commercialisation of news media futher intensified in most Western countries by the 1990s and thus consolidated control by the media. And more direct democracy arguably might make the problem worse, as it increases opportunities for charismatic/manipulative domination.

So the real alternative in my view would be a formalised aristocratic with real political privileges, picked for positive virtues.

 

[Tee Kay]

Well, the point was more that people often don't know hell about politics yet collectively have the most influence, as pawns of the media that is.

This is not really a problem unless the media is overwhelmingly controlled by one person or group, which is a sign of a democracy in trouble, not a normal state of affair. People are always going to be influenced by Things, whether it be the news media, hearsay, clergymen, local strongmen, or customs and traditions. An atmosphere that even superficially encourages debate and competition between Things is better than one that doesn't at all.

So the real alternative in my view would be a formalised aristocratic with real political privileges, picked for positive virtues.

Who picks them?

 

[Cheetah]

An open source computer can do the picking, if and when necessary.

But how do we pick? What virtues are we considering, and how do we measure them?

 

[Borachio]

Wouldn't it go by primogeniture? I think I'm currently 63,231,891st in line for the throne of England.

 

[Tee Kay]

Wouldn't it go by primogeniture? I think I'm currently 63,231,891st in line for the throne of England.

Indeed. I think any other method requires either some sort of election, or war.

 

[Domen]

I do not believe in the righteousness of democratic institutions. Is this extremist?

Whether it is extremist or not, depends on what is your substitute for these institutions.

But of course democracy is not perfect. Hitler was elected thanks to democratic institutions, for example.

But as Churchill said, democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others.

 

[Senethro]

I think rejecting democracy is extremist, or at least extremist enabling. Its easier for extremists to seize control of non-democratic governments. Democracies seem to be resilient to being converted into other forms of government without large external forces so that could be considered a bulwark against whoever the bad extremists of the day are.

 

[.Shane.]

The context of your user title and avatar (that looks like a guy with a suicide vest) makes this post especially funny.

/curtsies

Glad someone gets me!

 

[aelf]

So the real alternative in my view would be a formalised aristocratic with real political privileges, picked for positive virtues.

They tried that in Singapore. It's not really been working out either.

 

[Domen]

This Polish politician doesn't support democracy (he says a republic or a monarchy is better):

Poland's EU-hating monarchist

His proposals include turning the European Commission building into a brothel, restoring the monarchy, backing Putin.

When asked by journalists why, then, he even bothered to fight for the European elections, Janusz Korwin-Mikke replied: "What do you mean why? Thanks to this I will have immunity, some money and I can get myself an MEP office."

And now Mr Korwin-Mikke finds himself in the heart of the EU, with his New Right party coming in fourth place in the elections, with 7.2 per cent of the vote. He also gained 28.5 per cent of votes among 18- to 25-year-olds – more than any other party.

Here is what he says about hisemf:

"He says that until 9 years of age he was a socialist, but later he cured himself".

And:

"I want to restore normality after 100 years of occupation of Europe by a band of Reds".


Link to video.

Sorry for lack of English subtitles.

 

[Borachio]

I watched one of your youtubes of that guy. With subtitles. He struck me as, that most dangerous of things, quite a coherent speaker.

From the little I saw of him.

 

[Domen]

He struck me as, that most dangerous of things, quite a coherent speaker.

Oh yes, he is. There is entire series of YT videos "JKM masakruje lewaka" ("JKM massacres a leftist").

"Massacres" in a discussion, of course. Not with brute force.

BTW - JKM is short for Janusz Korwin-Mikke, but also for Jego Królewska Mość (His Royal Majesty in English).

But, in the end of the day, I think he is not dangerous for existence of the EU.

 

[AdamCrock]

During the last European elections I was eligible to vote, yet didn't even though I am not opposed to European integration. Although it arguably had a couple of reasons, I do not believe in the righteousness of democratic institutions. Is this extremist?

Kaiser-Guard .... the name alone forbid !!!!!!! You to vote ! hahahahha


j/k I know .... I know ....

There was a Nazi Battleship named "Kaiser" for god's sake !!!!!

I think think this guy's sentiment is wide known !

 

[Oruc]

So the real alternative in my view would be a formalised aristocratic with real political privileges, picked for positive virtues.

You'll have to bide your time for that, we most likely won't live to see the current system collapse.