Interesting editorial in LA Times

[dianec42]

Can the world be made safe from democracies?

Yes, it's by *that* Mark Helprin. If you haven't read Winter's Tale, go out and read it now. It's good.

I want to smack some idiot proofreader for just one thing though. When you're putting the brake(s) on something, that's B-R-A-K-E, you muppets. The actual content is quite good though, I'm impressed to see it in a mainstream newspaper.

Comments

[dieppe.livejournal.com]

Well.. it is the L.A. Times after all. :)

But it is interesting to point out that democracies aren't necessarily the best form of government either, or the safest, or the least pron to wage war, etc. Yes, I'm all in favor of a democracy, unless King Arthur were on the throne ruling benevolently or something, but maybe some countries do work better in the system they currently have. Who's to say but the people who live there?

Just my 2 cents though.....

[dieppe.livejournal.com]

(That was weird... oh well..)

[sharikkamur.livejournal.com]

The argument for a benevolent dictatorship has a lot going for it. Unfortunately benevolent dictators can be followed/overthrown by less benevolent ones as human nature and the 'I want some of that' instinct takes over.

Insufficient bread and circuses all round, that's the main problem.

[scooterbird.livejournal.com]

Er, don't know. Maybe I'm special, but I think it's the kind of argument that one might have in any dorm on any campus as a sophomore, just before the bheer overwhelms the senses. That it is in an American newspaper is, I suppose, somewhat surprising.

And it also makes the fairly large assumption that the U.S., as it is now, is a democracy.