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06-13-2008, 09:07 AM
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Democracy: And End In Itself or a Means to Something Else?
Just wondering what people's opinions are on the purpose of democracy. I hear a lot of conservative commentators speak of democracy as a means to securing other ideals, while suggesting liberals see it as a end in itself (I'm not sure if this is a correct depiction or not). Anyway, it certainly is an interesting question and I would love to hear where the BP community falls.
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06-13-2008, 10:26 AM
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Mess with the Vest, lose like the rest.
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Means to something else. Locke . . .
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06-13-2008, 11:57 AM
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The one who believes in Tressel
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Money and power are the ends to everything ~ Tresselbeliever
lol j/k. Democracy is the means for establishing the most efficient economic system. Without basic right such as rights to property and speech, and without the legal system to enforce those rights, an economic system would not be efficient. Democracy keeps the elites in check and gives common folks a chance to make the best out of themselves.
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06-13-2008, 06:18 PM
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Buckeye Hoop - Always a Good Decision
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Quote:
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Democracy: An End In Itself or a Means to Something Else?
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Neither of the above.
Democracy (including our form, representative democracy) is simply what a nation chooses as its form of government if it does not wish to devolve into despotism or chaos.
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06-13-2008, 07:28 PM
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"The Flying WASP"
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MaxBuck
Neither of the above.
Democracy (including our form, representative democracy) is simply what a nation chooses as its form of government if it does not wish to devolve into despotism or chaos.
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doesn't that in itself mean that it is a means to something else? prosperity maybe. i don't know, when i read your post that's how it struck me. i really don't know where i stand on this one.
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06-14-2008, 09:04 AM
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Buckeyes still #1 with me!
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Afrobarometer Round 3 Compendia
Afrobarometer is a study lead by a Buckeye on the political science faculty at the University of Cape Town, a leading researcher located at Michigan State, and a leading Ghanian researcher.
The link above will take you to a page where you can download a compendium of Afrobarometer results in Africa. You will see that democracy means something very different in Africa, more related to economic development.
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06-14-2008, 05:57 PM
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The one who believes in Tressel
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I change my mind about money and power being the ends to everything.
It's actually money, power and longevity.
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06-15-2008, 01:29 PM
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Woody wore Sambas
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tresselbeliever
Money and power are the ends to everything ~ Tresselbeliever
lol j/k. Democracy is the means for establishing the most efficient economic system. Without basic right such as rights to property and speech, and without the legal system to enforce those rights, an economic system would not be efficient. Democracy keeps the elites in check and gives common folks a chance to make the best out of themselves.
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Ding, ding, we have a winner. The problems a lot of 3rd World cultures have w/ democracy don't stem from the fact that you get to pick your leaders, rather, the problem stems from a lack of understanding that just because your party/tribe/ethnic group has 53% of the vote, that doesn't mean hey get 100% of the contracts,jobs,etc., and the other 47% has to fear for their well being. Constitutionally protected civil rights and property rights, along w/ an independent judiciary are every bit, if not more important for a stable society-unless someone wants to argue that Iran is a better democracy/society than Singapore, b/c they have more elections in Iran.
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