Does our political system keep great minds out of politics?

[charter.rights]

With today's level of technologies, war can start happening in moments. Do you really think that we'll have the luxury of having the TIME to vote on a response??!!

Hell, we'd all be dead or at least become a conquered people before our politicians could decide if it was a federal or a provincial matter...

There is a difference between defending ourselves (and that is why we have and Minstry of DEFENSE, and a prepared armed forces) and declaring war just because our southern neighbour is weapon crazy. But declaring war on another country is a whole different kettle of fish. There is lots of time to declare war if it is really necessary and there is no reason that it couldn't be taken to the people directly for approval.

Edited July 18, 2010 by charter.rights

[bebe]

In theory, I agree with taking issues directly to the people. In reality, though, how many people are well-informed enough to make an educated decision? And how do we carry out educational processes without having them biased in one way or another?

Direct democracy is an attractive concept ... but how do you make it work well?

[ToadBrother]

In theory, I agree with taking issues directly to the people. In reality, though, how many people are well-informed enough to make an educated decision? And how do we carry out educational processes without having them biased in one way or another?

Direct democracy is an attractive concept ... but how do you make it work well?

I don't think pure direct democracy is all that attractive. Poor Socrates was democratically forced to commit suicide, and in a more general sense, Athens lost its empire and its status as one of the great cities of the world through perfectly democratic processes.

It can be done to some extent, like in Switzerland, but it can also be a disaster, as it is in California, where citizens initiative powers have no created a stable democratic government, but an almost immobile mess. The fact is that governing cannot purely be a popularity contest, otherwise you end up in some pretty severe straights. There has to be a check on the public's desires just as much as there are checks on any other branch of government. Representative democracies give the best balance between the mob's demands and the necessities of stable, good government. It's a balancing act that will get it wrong on occasion, but it's certainly better than the alternatives.