Difference between revisions of "Democracy"

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(See also: Better Democracy NZ)
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''Source: [http://bastiat.org/en/the_law.html The Law] by Frederic Bastiat, 1850''
 
''Source: [http://bastiat.org/en/the_law.html The Law] by Frederic Bastiat, 1850''
  
The strange phenomenon of our times - one which will probably astound our descendants - is the doctrine based
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The strange phenomenon of our times - one which will probably astound our descendants - is the doctrine based on this triple hypothesis: the total inertness of mankind, the omnipotence of the law, and the infallibility of the legislator. These three ideas form the sacred symbol of those who proclaim themselves totally democratic. The advocates of this doctrine also profess to be social. So far as they are democratic, they place unlimited faith in mankind. But so far as they are social, they regard mankind as little better than mud. Let us examine this contrast in greater detail.
on this triple hypothesis: the total inertness of mankind, the omnipotence of the law, and the infallibility of the
 
legislator. These three ideas form the sacred symbol of those who proclaim themselves totally democratic.
 
The advocates of this doctrine also profess to be social. So far as they are democratic, they place unlimited faith
 
in mankind. But so far as they are social, they regard mankind as little better than mud. Let us examine this
 
contrast in greater detail.
 
  
What is the attitude of the democrat when political rights are under discussion? How does he regard the people
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What is the attitude of the democrat when political rights are under discussion? How does he regard the people when a legislator is to be chosen? Ah, then it is claimed that the people have an instinctive wisdom; they are gifted with the finest perception; their will is always right; the general will cannot err; voting cannot be too universal.
when a legislator is to be chosen? Ah, then it is claimed that the people have an instinctive wisdom; they are
 
gifted with the finest perception; their will is always right; the general will cannot err; voting cannot be too
 
universal.
 
  
When it is time to vote, apparently the voter is not to be asked for any guarantee of his wisdom. His will and
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When it is time to vote, apparently the voter is not to be asked for any guarantee of his wisdom. His will and capacity to choose wisely are taken for granted. Can the people be mistaken? Are we not living in an age of enlightenment? What! are the people always to be kept on leashes? Have they not won their rights by great effort and sacrifice? Have they not given ample proof of their intelligence and wisdom? Are they not adults? Are they not capable of judging for themselves? Do they not know what is best for themselves? Is there a class or a man who would be so bold as to set himself above the people, and judge and act for them? No, no, the people are and should be free. They desire to manage their own affairs, and they shall do so.
capacity to choose wisely are taken for granted. Can the people be mistaken? Are we not living in an age of
 
enlightenment? What! are the people always to be kept on leashes? Have they not won their rights by great effort
 
and sacrifice? Have they not given ample proof of their intelligence and wisdom? Are they not adults? Are they
 
not capable of judging for themselves? Do they not know what is best for themselves? Is there a class or a man
 
who would be so bold as to set himself above the people, and judge and act for them? No, no, the people are and
 
should be free. They desire to manage their own affairs, and they shall do so.
 
  
But when the legislator is finally elected - ah! then indeed does the tone of his speech undergo a radical change.
+
But when the legislator is finally elected - ah! then indeed does the tone of his speech undergo a radical change. The people are returned to passiveness, inertness, and unconsciousness; the legislator enters into omnipotence. Now it is for him to initiate, to direct, to propel, and to organize. Mankind has only to submit; the hour of despotism has struck. We now observe this fatal idea: The people who, during the election, were so wise, so moral, and so perfect, now have no tendencies whatever; or if they have any, they are tendencies that lead downward into degradation.
The people are returned to passiveness, inertness, and unconsciousness; the legislator enters into omnipotence.
 
Now it is for him to initiate, to direct, to propel, and to organize. Mankind has only to submit; the hour of despotism
 
has struck. We now observe this fatal idea: The people who, during the election, were so wise, so moral, and so
 
perfect, now have no tendencies whatever; or if they have any, they are tendencies that lead downward into
 
degradation.
 
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==

Revision as of 10:06, 2 October 2011

Glossary.svg This page describes a concept which is part of our glossary

People's Conferences

The Doctrine of the Democrats

Source: The Law by Frederic Bastiat, 1850

The strange phenomenon of our times - one which will probably astound our descendants - is the doctrine based on this triple hypothesis: the total inertness of mankind, the omnipotence of the law, and the infallibility of the legislator. These three ideas form the sacred symbol of those who proclaim themselves totally democratic. The advocates of this doctrine also profess to be social. So far as they are democratic, they place unlimited faith in mankind. But so far as they are social, they regard mankind as little better than mud. Let us examine this contrast in greater detail.

What is the attitude of the democrat when political rights are under discussion? How does he regard the people when a legislator is to be chosen? Ah, then it is claimed that the people have an instinctive wisdom; they are gifted with the finest perception; their will is always right; the general will cannot err; voting cannot be too universal.

When it is time to vote, apparently the voter is not to be asked for any guarantee of his wisdom. His will and capacity to choose wisely are taken for granted. Can the people be mistaken? Are we not living in an age of enlightenment? What! are the people always to be kept on leashes? Have they not won their rights by great effort and sacrifice? Have they not given ample proof of their intelligence and wisdom? Are they not adults? Are they not capable of judging for themselves? Do they not know what is best for themselves? Is there a class or a man who would be so bold as to set himself above the people, and judge and act for them? No, no, the people are and should be free. They desire to manage their own affairs, and they shall do so.

But when the legislator is finally elected - ah! then indeed does the tone of his speech undergo a radical change. The people are returned to passiveness, inertness, and unconsciousness; the legislator enters into omnipotence. Now it is for him to initiate, to direct, to propel, and to organize. Mankind has only to submit; the hour of despotism has struck. We now observe this fatal idea: The people who, during the election, were so wise, so moral, and so perfect, now have no tendencies whatever; or if they have any, they are tendencies that lead downward into degradation.

See also