Is there enough intelligence in commonality to trust it?

Answer 1

A better phrasing of the question might have been "Is majority rule trustworthy?"

Despite everything, I still believe in majority rule, with an independent judiciary to protect minority rights. However, I think it should be in the form of a democratic republic.

The big problem of why majority rule doesn't work is caused by three problems, neither two of which are inherent problems with majority rule.

First, the leaders in a democratic society must tell the truth and the people must be provided with the facts and clear choices. The politicians and all other members of government cannot lie, period. If the public is presented with the true facts almost always the majority of them will make the right choice.

Two, political parties are a big problem. Too often they vote along party lines instead of crossing the aisle to vote for things that are good for the nation. It is a very bad thing that they will vote for or against something just because that is the way their party is voting. Further, if a party wins an election too often they have a winner take all attitude.

Three, there is a naive notion that leadership is less important in a democratic government than in other forms of government. On the contrary, leadership becomes more important in democratic governments than in other forms of governments. Small groups or individual specialists with expertise must draft legislation and provide for the execution of laws.

The reason our system isn't working can be found mainly in the problems above.

Answer 2

That depends entirely on what the commonality is. If you're talking about a local vote to put a traffic light at a busy intersection than yes. If you're talking LA riots, than no.