Archive for January, 2012
Democracy is a Joke With Caste Based Distinctions
If liberty and equality, as is thought by some, are chiefly to be found in democracy, they will be best attained when all persons alike share in the government to the utmost. -Aristotle
Words of Aristotle establish the fact that a democratic coin is minted with freedom as one and equality as the other face. But in the contemporary context latter seems to be tinted.
Freedom and democracy are often used interchangeably. Democracy is indeed a set of ideas and principles about freedom. In short, democracy is the institutionalization of freedom.
But the same does not hold true for equality, primarily in India with caste distinction tightening its grip on every realm of the country’s administration.
For centuries, majority of India was persecuted, discriminated and ostracized by a minority community on the name of caste. Caste was and is inviolable to all Indians. Rather than his deeds, man has always been judged by his birth. Read the rest of this entry »
Burgers, Fries and Ignorant Politics – Does Democracy Need an Overhaul?
America has become a confusing place for many people who are trying to decipher through the mess of politics that is inherent in a huge country that touts democracy. The Critical Review’s (No. 1 Vol. 19) article Ignorance as a Starting Point: From Modest Epistemology to Realistic Political Theory states that a new elitist political paternalism may be necessary to counter the general ignorance of the population. In other words, brighter minds need to make decisions for people.
The concept of political elite makes some sense but in reality this is already the case. We have in the U.S. a pseudo-democracy in the sense that all of the candidates are known but few, except the elite, know what the candidates stand for. Democracy, in its early American terms, meant that politics was done on a local basis. People knew who the runners were, shook their hands, asked them questions, etc… This is one of the reasons why many politicians still travel the country. Read the rest of this entry »
Politics – Why Politicians Disagree Too Much on Too Many Things
When it comes to politics there is a very important reason why too many politicians disagree too much on far too many subjects. Having an opinion is positive, but the financial crisis we have just come through should have taught these politicians a few lessons.
Special Interest Groups Support Sides
There is no doubt about the fact that some interest groups support their different sides in politics. Some prefer socialist parties whereas others want liberal values – and some have traditional values. The latter being especially christian groups who typically support the Republicans.
This is not just true in American politics. The trend is seen all over the world.
What Should We Do In a Living Democracy?
In a living democracy it should be a living and vibrant community of politicians that dare to vote against tradition. Why should it be a given that socialists were more ecological than Republicans? It’s all a question of taking good care of the planet we all need for future generations. Read the rest of this entry »
