Has democracy ruined the world?

Question

Have private political ambitions killed the "philosopher king" ?

Nonpartisan answers only.

Would we be better off with a benevolent dictator?

Can the people really lead the masses?

Answer 1

Okay, I am not sure that I am going to answer what you are looking for. But, our country is not, I repeat, is not a democracy. It is a republic. And as other posts have pointed out, it is the changes that have taken place in our governments history by self serving persons and political parties that have caused the slide down the slippery slope. My aunt told me once that my Grandfather's favorite saying of politicians "The only politician you can trust is a dead one". What he meant is that will be the only time you know they are telling the truth because they are no longer talking. I think he was a wise man.

Answer 2

Democracy is a beautiful idea, one which should be spread in our own nations. I stand for devolution in the Uk, Regional assemblies etc.
However, the 'Benevolent Dictator' you speak of it nothing more then what it says. A Dictatorship. Who will decide if the dictator is good or not? What happens if we get a dictator who is a monster?
The idea of the 'Ruling Intellectual Elite' is a very middle class, intelligentsa idea. These peopel tend to consider themselves better then the 'masses', and see it as their job to rule for us. Well no thank you. The public has the right to a say in its own life, not some middle class intellect who thinks hes the next know-it-all jesus. With the correct implications of law to keep back the worst excesses of public opinion, a Democracy is the most just and vital system of Government ever devised.

Answer 3

No, remember that Democracy is still a relativly new idea and practice. Our modern democratic world is one of the first. I do believe in time it will either become a more clear government or will fail miserably due to corruption and failure.

It is said that democracy is one of the worst governments, except for all the rest. Meaning, democracy is a bad type of government but so are all the others.

Answer 4

Most people mix up capitalism with democracy, especially Americans. The reason the government are doing this is to fool their citizens into thinking their own government is democratic. If you ask people in the world, then you would find US is not democratic at all among the developed countries such as UK, Canada, and Australia, etc.

Answer 5

Democracy hasn't ruined the world. Ambitious, self-serving people have ruined democracy. When good people are working in a democracy to govern with ethics, and strong morals, we have a system which flourishes. It is vibrant. Good fruit from good trees, bad fruit from bad trees. We seriously need to "clear the gnarled forest" and plant some tall, straight trees.

Answer 6

Democracy hasnt ruined the ruled. George W. Bushs attempt to create a totalatarian government and spread, what he calls democracy, throughout the world is. GWB is a totalitarian dictator, he even said it himself, he was quoted as saying to the press, "I am the decider"

Answer 7

yes, democracy is now a laughingstock
look at the people who get elected and appointed. I don't mean just Bush, or just Bush and Rumsfeld, I mean look at Congress. Look at the political radicals who get put into our executive offices. And candidates just don't stand for anything anymore. it's just saddening to know a great institution has just atrophied into a bureaucracy based off the media

Answer 8

The breakdown of personal morality is ruining Democracy. People who are unable to put the good of society above their desire for immediate personal gratification is leading us to, collectively, make some very short-sighted decisions.

Answer 9

The theory of Democracy did not ruin the world. It is the way it is used that has.

Answer 10

The answer is no.
First, since there's no direct democracy, then democracy can't have ruined the world.
Second, the world does not appear to have been irreparably damaged, so democracy can't have ruined it.