You know, after looking at Nazi Germany, Bush's election, and now this shit in Venezuela, I'm really much less keen on the idea of democracy as a means to promote effective government. It empirically really doesn't seem to do a hell of a lot better than the other options, frankly. And I'm half-serious here...even a dictator has to maintain his support or, at some point someone will come in and shoot him. How much different is that from convincing a population to vote to give you whatever powers you want?
I suppose that sentiment is just a rehash of the now-infamous Goering quote:
"Of course the people don't want war. But after all, it's the leaders of the country who determine the policy, and it's always a simple matter to drag the people along whether it's a democracy, a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism, and exposing the country to greater danger."Update: I, erm, take it back?
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