Democracy is Impossible

re: Democracy is Impossible

scottyokim — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 19:32:14 GMT

brain, great post. I just suggested in my Mises blog some type of open source process for law: having the "Linus Torvalds of law" (and a few other specialists) moderate all changes to the legal code.

re: Democracy is Impossible

Brainpolice — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 23:10:28 GMT

Point taken. That is a somewhat separate issue from democracy, since the constitutional republicanism is supposed to be a sort of "middle ground" between democracy and an artisocratic government. I'll grant that a constitutional system may do a better job of restraining rule then a purely representative democracy without constitutional restraints.

But, of course, I also reject constitutionalism or more standard social contract theories. I will have to make separate blog article about that sometime soon. I don't mean to come off as completely negative, but when skepticism is warranted it should be voiced.

I'm not sure if that characterization of Jefferson is entirely accurate, but I do recall reading Jefferson quotes in which he basically says that recurring rebellion by the people is necessary to keep the government on its toes, so to speak.

re: Democracy is Impossible

Attackdonkey — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 19:43:56 GMT

well. I agree with what you are saying, and your right. except we have a constitution. this is SUPPOSE to limit the "ruling class" so that they can not ban smoking in private businesses. or restrict gun ownership. the first problem is that our constitution doesn't guarentee enough rights, or leaders every president at least as far back as FDR, and every congress even farther back than that, have ignored the constitution. and you're right, the people are too stupid to vote or in anyway resist these infractions.

but you do a good job in making the plans of a federalist constitutional republic look as impossible as the plans of the communists. :(

Is it true that Thomas Jefferson believed there should be a revolution every 7 years?