Political System Values

[Inter.spem.et.metum]

I would like to know what political systems you all prefer, and what values those political preferences uphold.

[Buffy]

Representative Democracy.

Fairness, efficiency, effectiveness, constructive conflict, creative destruction, growth, and social evolution.

Democracy is the worst form of government except all the others,
Buffy

[Inter.spem.et.metum]

Thank you for the post, but you know I have to argue.

Democracy isn't the most fair, efficient, or effective. Conflict is only constructive for some, and destruction is only as good as what it creates.

I agree democracy promotes growth and social evolution. But if truly fosters growth and social evolution, it won't remain a representative democracy for very long.

But I dig your last line!

[Buffy]

Originally Posted by Inter.spem.et.metum

Thank you for the post, but you know I have to argue.

That's what we're here for!

Originally Posted by Inter.spem.et.metum

Democracy isn't the most fair, efficient, or effective. Conflict is only constructive for some, and destruction is only as good as what it creates.

...uh, compared to what?

Originally Posted by Inter.spem.et.metum

But I dig your last line!

Good! You got my point then! Its got Buffy's Asterisk on it, so you should look it up!

Originally Posted by Inter.spem.et.metum

I agree democracy promotes growth and social evolution. But if truly fosters growth and social evolution, it won't remain a representative democracy for very long.

Why not?

The best argument against democracy is a five minute conversation with the average voter,
Buffy

[Inter.spem.et.metum]

Fairness, efficiency, and effectiveness depend on what you value. It is easy to say that you want these things, but what parts of society do you think should be fair; efficient; effective? I can find evidence that the entire political spectrum offers these aspects, just in different areas of life. As for social growth and social evolution, not all political affiliations support them, but some do.

So again, what areas of society does a representative democracy foster fairness, efficiency, and effectiveness?

[LaurieAG]

Originally Posted by Inter.spem.et.metum

I would like to know what political systems you all prefer, and what values those political preferences uphold.

Hi Inter,

While I prefer a real representative democracy, not a constitutional monarchy run as a politicians republic (as we have in Australia), there are other options that will become more appealing as global warming takes hold. It depends on what we really value, wealth and material assets, or somewhere bearable to live in the future.

Modern values and political preferences will become more important as recent research has revealed that Cuba is the only environmentally sustainable political economy on this planet.

[orbsycli]

Originally Posted by LaurieAG

Modern values and political preferences will become more important as recent research has revealed that Cuba is the only environmentally sustainable political economy on this planet.

That's surprising.
What makes it so?

[Inter.spem.et.metum]

I agree. Which do you value more; Economy or Ecology? The answer is easy for me.

[LaurieAG]

Originally Posted by orbsycli

That's surprising.
What makes it so?

Hi Orb,

'global warming' and its causes means that a sustainable future will be more like Cuba is today than the rest of the world as it exists now, for those who will live in the future anyway.

[Buffy]

Originally Posted by Inter.spem.et.metum

Fairness, efficiency, and effectiveness depend on what you value. It is easy to say that you want these things, but what parts of society do you think should be fair; efficient; effective?

In a democracy, what *I personally* think is balanced against what everyone else thinks too. There's no Politburo or Council of Imams who get to decide what's good for the rest of us: we can throw the bums out if we want!

Originally Posted by Inter.spem.et.metum

I can find evidence that the entire political spectrum offers these aspects, just in different areas of life.

It *is* a matter of opinion what these things are, but *by definition* Communist, Theocratic and most other forms of government give an oligarchy total control over what that definition is.

Originally Posted by Inter.spem.et.metum

So again, what areas of society does a representative democracy foster fairness, efficiency, and effectiveness?

Whatever "we the people" decide it should be!

Sounds like you're saying "they're all just as bad as any other" which is pretty cynical, and is again, the whole point of my first post above: you can find fault with Democracy, but you can find a lot more with the others!

So which one *would* you prefer to live under? We have some strong advocates of Anarchy around here and its been pretty well supported, although there's not a lot of historical data to recommend it!

We must indeed all hang together, or, most assuredly, we shall hang separately,
Buffy