I was listening to some political commentator ramble on about how great democracies are and something occurred to me. Most of the positive things people talk about when they say we need to defend democracy are really the benefits of free markets.
When I say free markets I'm referring to relative freedom. There are few truly free markets. Most markets are distorted by states and banks but some countries have more or less economic freedom. Democracy isn't the worst system for sure but honestly it can't take credit for all the prosperity and health we see. I would argue this prosperity comes from freedom. Not the act of voting for "representatives".
This is such an interesting topic we are trying to analyze in the ~AGORA as there's no such a free market if, first, there are no rights to trade between free men and women.
Do you mind sharing the video you were looking at?
It wasn't a video and it wasn't interesting. It was the same "protect our democracy" propaganda we hear nonstop these days.
oh well, I was hoping for something interesting to watch during the weekend :)
Human rights, property rights, and law all predate democracy. I'm sure you know this, just stating this for others.
Democracy is about far more than just a vote. It's about the fundamental freedoms of expression, religion, sexuality, and much more.
I disagree. Those often exist in democracies but I would not say they come out of democracy. Plenty of democracies violate these as well. I would argue those are all moral ideals. A democracy can and many do violate these rights. The founding fathers in the US for example were very wary of democracy for this reason.
Unmasking Democracy: A Moral Virtue or a Flawed Tool?
By Sergio Lopez
A practical take on what democracy is and what it isn't
I'm a believer in Jesus. My view is that many of the things people like about democracies have more to do with His teachings. His teachings and morals have spread like a virus through the world. Even those that hate Christianity and religion have been affected by the idea of grace and defending the weak, poor, and needy. I've come to think that "Democracy" has been built up into a quasi-religious belief as a defense mechanism against admitting the true sources for the positive things in the "free world".
Its also become clear to me that many, maybe most worship the power of the state. This sadly includes many Christians. People seek to gain control of the systems of power to do what they see as good and right. The "one ring" if you will. And it will always corrupt those that seek it and those that hold it. It is a poison.
That's very interesting and I hadn't thought about it that way. I agree with all the rest, unreservedly.
Reading this book and thinking about incentives for many years changed my thinking about democracies. We rarely hear any critical thought about democracy. It is literally a sacred cow. As I said, it is far from the worst state system but it should be looked at critically for the many trade-offs. Leaches use this religious belief in this system to maintain power and steal wealth from the masses. Millions die in wars funded by these people. They have no skin in the game. They print money to no end.
Democracy: The God That Failed | Mises Institute
Oh believe me go much much further than that
Very good point.
I keep on meaning to read Democracy – The God That Failed by Hans-Hermann Hoppe. It's supposed to be very good.
It is very good. I don't agree with Hoppe on everything, but his writing made me think about things I had never even considered. This is the mark of a good thinker / writer. I feel like that book and Rand's writings really opened my mind.
Absolutely