Can democratic government ever work on a large scale?

Question

On the whole, people don't know how to run a country. They are manipulated by the media, by officials, by compulsory education, etc. and so cannot form an objective opinion.

Being sheep, common people will not form unpopular opinions, and so false consensuses (consensi?) are formed before anything is put to a vote.

Those with hopes of elected office positions seek power, and often have to corrupt themselves to be elected. Beside which, very few really understand exactly how to deal with most of the problems that face a country.

... this has become something of a rant, and I'm sorry for that.

But my question stands. Is democratic rule a viable form of government? And if not, what is?

Answer 1

common people are sheep?  bite my lamb chops.

Answer 2

congress will do that anyway, maybe once given some responsibilty the people will get better at making thier own decisions. The issues then would be in the hands of the media all the time and people would be voting because they saw something funny on SNL.

It can be like American Idol, we'll have to pizazz up cspan so people will watch and vote. The issues can dance across the screen with music and then we'll bring in an old man to do something in appropriate with his daughter. Then people will vote. Call 555 2537 NOW!

Answer 3

BAHHHHH BAHHHH

Ha, Just kidding I'm not really a sheep

(I'm some sort of purple fuzzy creature, I don't think there are any purple sheep, are there?  Hold on a sec let me go look...No, but you can harvest their wool and die it whatever color you want.  Apparently a lot of people wear animal tuff's as clothing weird huh....Whatever, My point is g*y marriage should be allowed!  Oh and, Obama is like the bestest woo-hoo GO America!)

Answer 4

Unfortunately democracies don't work in the long run.  Take a look at history and you will find they fail over and over again.  Witness what is happening in the US right now and try to guess how much longer we can last.

Answer 5

This is a question of semantics.

First, you must define the term "work". By YOU definition, of course not. But, by simple nature of the asking, you have proven (or at least given evidence) that it can, and indeed DOES work. (After all, it is the PEOPLE of said democracy that get to define the term)

Next, you must define "large scale". Please forgive my assumption, but you I assume you are referring to America... which is not a democracy, but a republic made up of 50 small democracies... So, however you resolve the first section, it is irrelevant as there are no "large scale" democracies.

The fact is, considering where humans are in their evolution... It doesn't get much better than a representative republic!