Crisis In Democracy

[AnInconvenientScotsman]

In his piece "Works & Days" the Greek philosopher Hesiod spoke of a past "Golden Age" in which men lived as if gods, with no pain, no war, no disease and not having to do work in order to survive. He proposed that over time humanity degrades from a Golden Age, through an age of silver and an age of bronze, into an age of iron. In this age of iron, he said, there would be great suffering.

Within a certain generation of political scientists and philosophers there is a perception of the 1950s/60s as a sort of political "Golden Age", up until around 1965-67. There was very little unemployment, or at least you would have no trouble finding work. Even the homeless could find an abundance of work. There were government grants for virtually everything and society very much depended on the state to ensure that they had a somewhat comfortable life. This political Golden Age is perceived as a virtual socialist utopia or at least as close to one as we could get. It was also an age in which political literacy was pretty much universal and people talked about politics all the time, both within families and social circles and this drove democracy because everybody was clued up enough to have a say in how the country is run.

Political philosophers of that generation who grew up in the 50s and 60s suggest that we have regressed, that we have lost a lot of the socialist values and benefits of the time, largely through privatisation. They also claim that political literacy and engagement has declined, as argued in R. Putman's "Bowling Alone" and in Peter Hitchens' (significantly worse) "Abolition of Britain". This has led to an increase in political apathy and means that the people are not debating any more for the most part, allowing smaller groups a louder voice. This, they say, is the path to fascism and dictatorship, where eventually only one voice can be heard because there isn't anyone to challenge it.

This is the essence of the perceived Crisis in Democracy.

There are a few problems with it, however. Firstly, the 50s/60s were not Utopian at all: there were a great many problems, such as extreme racism and other forms of discrimination - it may appear that people lived decently but really only the white, British majority did. Secondly, social interaction has evolved since then: we communicate in different ways and the disappearance, largely, of open political debate at the familial dinner table, for example, may not necessarily be an indicator of a loss of political literacy as debates continue to rage online. Thirdly, there is the vital question of whether or not the advocates of this theory are just nostalgic for their lost, socialist youth: especially considering that it was this very generation who led the deconstruction of socialist Britain.


I know this is a very concise explanation of the problem and it is a flawed one as well, so I'm sorry if I've missed out any details or gotten anything incorrect, I've only just been introduced to it. I would like to ask, though, your opinions on the subject.

So, do you think there is a crisis in democracy? Or is it just nostalgia for a time long gone?

[Rum]

I'll come back to you on this one.

[Trolldor]

To put it simply, there has never been a 'golden age' for society. You may have a golden age of creativity, but not for social balance.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

I am doing about 2,000 speeches from WWII for my site right now. One thing really stands out: The same claims are being made now as were made then. Democracy is in danger, it won't last five years!

SSDD

[AnInconvenientScotsman]

I am doing about 2,000 speeches from WWII for my site right now. One thing really stands out: The same claims are being made now as were made then. Democracy is in danger, it won't last five years!

SSDD

To be fair, that was during the height of fascism.

[Hermit]

there is the vital question of whether or not the advocates of this theory are just nostalgic for their lost, socialist youth

Pining for the lost 'golden age' is nothing new, nor is such activity confined to teary-eyed socialists. I wish everyone who keeps indulging in bemoaning the decline and fall of conditions and standards "these days" could be sent to live in the period(s) and location(s) they allege to have been so much better, just to teach them a fucking lesson.

[Rum]

Just because we have a tendency to think that the past was better than the present doesn't mean it wasn't. However to think of the issues you raise as a crisis in 'democracy' rather than a deterioration in some other aspect of life is in my view incorrect.

The 50s and 60s saw western capitalism really get onto its stride ans such was the rapacious way it grew and the way it made nearly all its participants richer, including ordinary people as we gobbled up resources, developed new goods and bought them, all the while believing this would make for a better and happier world, which was to say the least misguided.

The 50s and 60s saw millions - possibly billions entering the new consumer societies that developed across the developing world. It was a period of huge expansion and development. It was a great time to grow up too. One saw lots of good things without being away of the bad ones. The up side was there for the grabbing. Nobody much was thinking about the down side.

The 'crisis' we face is not to do with democracy at all. Its to do with uncontrolled growth and over population and the consequences of those on the planet and ultimately our ability to survive.

[Hermit]

Just because we have a tendency to think that the past was better than the present doesn't mean it wasn't. However to think of the issues you raise as a crisis in 'democracy' rather than a deterioration in some other aspect of life is in my view incorrect.

The 50s and 60s saw western capitalism really get onto its stride ans such was the rapacious way it grew and the way it made nearly all its participants richer, including ordinary people as we gobbled up resources, developed new goods and bought them, all the while believing this would make for a better and happier world, which was to say the least misguided.

The 50s and 60s saw millions - possibly billions entering the new consumer societies that developed across the developing world. It was a period of huge expansion and development. It was a great time to grow up too. One saw lots of good things without being away of the bad ones. The up side was there for the grabbing. Nobody much was thinking about the down side.

The 'crisis' we face is not to do with democracy at all. Its to do with uncontrolled growth and over population and the consequences of those on the planet and ultimately our ability to survive.

What a perspicacious observation.

[redunderthebed]

Political apathy is a threat and I'd say the ultimate threat to democracy in any age. Also elections being personality contests and not a examination and judgment of the parties policies and ideology is a major threat and i'd argue this is becoming more of a threat year on year.

Observe a anecdote of how apathy screws democracy

*walking out of the polling station for the last state election*

Me: Who did you vote for mum?
Mum: Liberal Party
*proceeds to give mum crap all good natured of course *
Mum: You know how you say i should stand for something i did that by voting for the liberal party
Me: What does the liberal party stand for and why did you vote for them?
Mum: i don't know

She has being a voter for 32 years i despair

[The Dawktor]

call me an elitist snob if you will- but my vote is cancelled out by someone with an IQ a third of mine. Just sayin'.

[JOZeldenrust]

call me an elitist snob if you will- but my vote is cancelled out by someone with an IQ a third of mine. Just sayin'.

No it isn't. Stupid people pretty much cancel each other out, as the result of ignorance when voting is pretty much random, so it's the informed voters who set the trends.

To the OP: the idea of an ancient "golden age" is complete nonsense. If anything, the golden age is now. The amount of resources available per capita has skyrocketed since the industrial revolution. So no, there is not a crisis in democracy. The shock caused by the results of WWII has had a positive effect on support for democracy in Europe, and that shock is now wearing off, but that's about it.

[AnInconvenientScotsman]

Some interesting opinions. Personally I disagree with the assertion that there is either a crisis in democracy, or that the 50s/60s were a Golden Age. People of my generation are far more politically literate than our elders give us credit for: I have friends of varying ages and education who can all make sound assessments of policy and can engage in political discussion. As for a Golden Age, well it's just nostalgia isn't it; most people look back fondly on their youth, emphasising the positives and ignoring the negatives (As I pointed out, sexism, sectarianism and racism were all rife, or at least far more prevalent, back in the mid-20th century) - I imagine that in 50 years I'll be telling people how good things were back in 2010 when things now are actually shite

[ScholasticSpastic]

The 50s/60s are a golden age for these blokes 'cuz that's when they were prolly getting the most sex.

[AnInconvenientScotsman]

The 50s/60s are a golden age for these blokes 'cuz that's when they were prolly getting the most sex.

Well played, sir, well played

[JOZeldenrust]

I should make my position a little more clear. I do think public support for democratic priciples has improved since the 50's/60's. The emancipation movements (civil rights, second feminist wave etc.) have had real positive effects. However, since the 9/11 attacks, a distinctly undemocratic anti-Islam sentiment has been spreading at least in Europe. Also, people and governments have become willing to compromise on civil rights, infringing upon privacy and inventing new classes of people to circumvent the Geneva conventions.

Democracy involves more then just voting. It also involves the idea of equal rights, and the rights of Muslims, however much I may disagree with their metaphysical beliefs as well as many practices carried out in the name of Islam, are being infringed upon. As such, democracy is under some threat. However, I think democracy is a lot more robust then it was during the 1930's, so I'm confident that the democratic system will survive this unhealthy sentiment.