Throughout history (save perhaps during some momentary outbreaks of nationalism) reflective men and women have seen their societies as wasteful, self-destructive, cruel, superficial and rapacious. The notion that one lives in a democracy (whether true or illusory) now serves to infuse these perennial reflections with a sense of alienation by implying that the majority of one's fellows want it that way.
Recent polls find the Australian public conniving to place Tony Abbot in charge of the country1. If in the next two weeks no chimera materialises to frighten them back in the opposite direction, they may succeed at it.
Suppose that instead of our current system we endured under some sort of corrupt (and unelected) noblesse who plotted the same thing. We would still resent them. We would see their Abbot as proof of their contempt for us. But we, together, would resent them.
By making that same man the confection of a process it describes as democratic, our system alienates us from the majority of our countrymen and countrywomen by alleging the he embodies their ideals.
Footnote:
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Abbott leads Gillard in latest poll (July 31, 2010). The Age, Retrieved August 8, 2010 from
http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-national/abbott-leads-gillard-in-latest-poll-20100731-1102s.html
Government trails coalition in latest poll (August 7, 2010). Business Spectator, Retrieved August 8, 2010 from
http://www.businessspectator.com.au/bs.nsf/Article/Labor-trails-coalition-in-latest-poll-83L73?OpenDocument&src=tnb
Posts
Yes its going to be very embarrassing to have Tony Abbott as the representative of Australia
ReplyDeleteIn a world where the most powerful nation on earth elected George Bush Junior and one of the most affluent African nations elected Robert Mugabe through a “democratic” process I’m happy to have Tony “My Prime Minister can run further than your Prime Minister” Abbot represent Australia in the division of quality world leaders.
ReplyDeleteHowever, while the democratic process does indeed leave the disenfranchised feeling put out and alienated by the general pettiness of there common country man it's EVER so much more pleasant than how they tend to feel under a totalitarian alternative. I think you summed it up pretty well in that ALL forms of government oppress. The difference is the degree of physical violence that is involved. I agree that while rising up against the hated aristocracy in a frenzy of bloodletting is much more satisfying on a range of levels than showing up to the polling booth to find that some strategically located narrow minded, self serving, largely ignorant, racists ( I believe this election we call them people with legitimate concerns) in some key marginal states have carried the day yet again regardless of your opinions. However, I must admit to having become rather taken by it’s terrible mediocrity which, regardless of who carries the day, leaves the vast majority of families lost in suburbia contentedly eating their Lotus Flower diet of bigger TV screens and McDonalds vs radical change that leaves a great deal of people dead.
Democracy is a great form of government. Capitalism is a great way of increasing productivity, personal health and overall wealth. Rampant corporations that have identified that keeping the punters buying stuff is better than giving them education, leisure time and informed opinions is perhaps more of the problem than the system.
By the way Andy, I appreciate that your musing is designed for entertaining the reader rather than designed as a fully fledged political thesis on the pro’s and con’s of government model. Please take my response as showing I was entertained and wanted to show that I remain a loyal reader :- )
Peter
ReplyDeleteHey Pete!
ReplyDeleteI wrote a little reply at
http://andy-social.blogspot.com/2010/08/reply-to-peter.html
If you'd prefer, I could move it here instead of including it on the main page.