Does democracy lead inevitably to 'dumbing down' and cultural/intellectual mediocrity?

Question

To me it seems that Western society is in cultural and intellectual decline due to its abandonment of respect for its Judeo-Christian and Humanist heritage. Does this decline exist, can it be measured, who is responsible, and what can be done to remedy it?

Answer 1

Yes the decline exists!! I don't think it can be measured but it is plain to see the lack of respect that the younger generations have for themselves and for others. We now have a 'me' culture where people are only interested in what they get out of something. There is no feeling of community spirit, or generosity for others or even what is right and wrong amongst many of todays youth.
As for responsibilty, personally, I think it is mostly to do with the PC brigade who have succeeded in preventing any effective means of discipline in schools and at home. This leads to too many people 'getting away' with rude behaviour and disrespect as there are no effective consequences available to eother parents or teachers.
How can we remedy it? By allowing teachers and parents to punish bad behaviour from n early age. Only then will kids learn the difference between right and wrong.
I don't think this has anything to with religion or democracy. Lack of religion does not mean lack of responsibility and respect towards others. Democracy has allowed the PC brigade a voice which has influenced many politicians - but we can also have a voice to ensure that the future generations do not grow up the same way!!

Answer 2

I'll treat this as a philosophy Q.

There is the erroneous fear-based belief that democracy devolves into mobocracy which leads inevitably to dumbing down and cultural/intellectual mediocrity. Usually it is the elite who make hay of this point. It may be true of a pure democracy but not the structured democracy embodied in the US Constitution. The balance of powers and the rule of law based on a bill of rights and high standards of Justice, Equality, Liberty and Happiness are ingredients in our democratic formula. The emphasis on the improvement of education of individuals ,the eradication of illiteracy and poverty and sicknesses, and achieving a just society for of all the members of the democracy will , I think, prevent such a negative development. Like Nietzsche said, or would say if he were here, the judeo-christian heritage must be transcended by a better morality and a better set of aspirations. Democracy, not Slavery, is one ingredient in the way out of mediocrity.

Having said all that, your Q reminds me of the book entitled "The Closing of The American Mind."
Harold Bloom's thesis in the book was that degradation in the goals and standards, and performance of our educational institutions would result in cultural and intellectual mediocrity. I would look there rather than blame democracy.

Answer 3

It is not democracy that is to blame for this, it is just that we are living through an information/scientific/spiritual revolution.
All cultural/ ideological/spiritual axioms and norms we have taken for granted are no longer valid. We are in a new Axial age where new religions are formed nearly every day, (or so it seems) The last Axial age was 800 to 300 BC when Judaism, Buddhism, Zoastrianism, Conifucianism, Hinduism and the Greek mythologies came into fruition, we now have a new one.
Combined with this is global warming which threatens our existance as a species, it can be seen that all learning and knowlege is in a state of flux, it follows that democracy is nothing besides all this. I hope I have not confused the issue.

Answer 4

I do not believe that in the strictest sense democracy leads to 'dumbing down' and cultural/intellectual mediocrity. Rampant capitalism and consumerism does lead to this condition however. Consumerism is killing the collective intellect of this country. Bear in mind that our society is not actually a pure democracy. We are a social capitalistic democracy and we are becoming very strong on the socialism and week on the democracy. And of course the capitalistic portion only applies to the corporations that have the capital. One of the origins of democracy is ancient Greece and we still look back and are astounded by the intellects from that era. Also if you believe that we are getting away from a moral and humanistic era you should read “A Peoples History of the United States.” As a country our history has been very oppressive and inhumane.

Answer 5

It does not lead to an inevitable decline. In fact, initially it was a great impetus to the push for universal literacy in our nation.

However, the second portion of your question exposes the truth. There is a very real effort to create "cogs" who are suited to our society through public education. (See also the works of John Gatto). There is also a very real push by the intellectual elite to advance a thoroughly relativistic society (the anthem of which might be John Lennon's "Imagine") in which no one is capable of rational thought and nobody cares enough about anything to resist or fight or anything. It is a false utopia, and it will have disastrous results, just like all the other utopian ideas that we have grappled with in recent history. (Millions of deaths, anyone?)

Answer 6

I don't believe democracy leads to 'dumbing down'.
I believe our overall bad education leads to dumbing down and let's face it, our most powerful leader just is not the brightest bulb in the closet.

For years our educational system has operated pretty much the same and desperately needs, prioritizing, revamping and remodeling to catch up to the modern world. We are being outclassed right and left by European education. Seems all our country's domestic issues, however, are of low interest to our current administration where WAR and the defense of it is not only the main, but ONLY topic.

Answer 7

wow deep question, i am not sure that democracy leads to any of the ills you speak of, nor do i really understand your view of the "good old days"
in the past, some of these same democrats, christians , kept slaves, killed or moved the natives, kept women basically in bondage
so i personally think we have progressed, culturally and intellectually, though our mental/spiritual progression lags way behind our technological one
but that isnt true just of America or the west, its true of most places
if you really look at the history of most countries, there has always been alot of "dumbing down" by those in power to get others to accept bad conditions, and those in the middle accepted them!

Answer 8

Artistocracy expires under the weight of its decadence. Totalitarianism collapses under the weight of its suspicions. Democracy fades under the weight of mediocrity. Theocracy dies under the weight of hypocrisy. All cultural and political systems, conditioned by finitude, end up in the same place. None should be absolutized as the ultimate answer to the questions of our humanity.

Answer 9

that is your opinion. Even with "good" religious regimes, there was witch hunts, Inquisitions, crusades against the infidels, and other crimes against humanity.

All system of government whether representative dictatorship, er "representative democracy" or fundamentalism. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Answer 10

No way.
Only democracy will ensure your intellectual growth.