The Roman Epire

STEFANOS4784

I've just been listening to radio 4 again, their arguments seem close to that of what i've read about the Roman senate, we think we're 'civilized' yet we listen to individuals views and certain people seem to take it as gosple, we might 'need' structure as a race but i for one am sick of this self-rightous, politicaly correct cr@p i keep hearing.

They sit there chearing and jearing for their 2 houses a year.

Communism maybe worth another thry?!? Just need to remember what communism means we're all the same really, black, white, clever, not so, fit, fat. We're all human beings?????!!!!!??? I know that usually the leader of the communists gets gready but communism in theory is where we should be :!:

Al_38

The primary problem with communism is:
'everyone is equal but some are more equal than others' essentially those with some power abuse it to the detriment of everyone, and there are no checks possible to stop this happening.

While I don't think democracy is a perfect system I don't think it is possible to do any better realistically. It is about as close to a utilitarian governing system as can feasibly be managed - every person in some way has a voice and if it the system is relatively balanced then no one voice or group of voices should be able to shout louder than the rest. Meaning you end up with a moderate and mostly fair system.

robthehungrymonkey

Interesting, i've just typed the following on another part of this forum...

China and communism IMO has shown the way to progress as a country. The only thing China is concerned about is progression. They ruling political party doesn't have to pander to votes, it does what is best for the country as a whole and doesn't have to do what it thinks will win votes. Poverty is decreasing by the day, and generally the chinese are happy and full of hope, throughout the country, even those not so well off.
I think the speed in which China has progressed post Mao is phenominal. It's not communism really, but just avoids all the problems with democracy.

Ok, it's not perfect, but as a concept it works.

However, reality is different.

I do think Democracy is very limited though, we vote people in to do what is best for our country, and yet they spend the entire time not doing what they think is best, but doing what they think will win votes. Two entirely different things.

boybiker

Communism is so last year darling, Syndico-anarcism is where the cool kids are at.

Billios

How about benevolent dictator.....ill take the job. Ill just the change the name of Great Britain to Greater Wales.

OffTheBackAdam

STEFANOS4784 wrote:

Communism maybe worth another thry?!? Just need to remember what communism means

Tianamen Square, "Great Leap Forwards", "Cultural Revolution", Lubyanka, "Killing Fields", Hungary '56, Czeckoslovakia '67, East Germany '61, Mao, Stalin, yes, let's remind ourselves.
(Nb, above years quoted may be inaccurate)

robthehungrymonkey

OffTheBackAdam wrote:

STEFANOS4784 wrote:

Communism maybe worth another thry?!? Just need to remember what communism means

Tianamen Square, "Great Leap Forwards", "Cultural Revolution", Lubyanka, "Killing Fields", Hungary '56, Czeckoslovakia '67, East Germany '61, Mao, Stalin, yes, let's remind ourselves.
(Nb, above years quoted may be inaccurate)

I'm not an expert, but is that more down to "dictators"?

Eau Rouge

robthehungrymonkey wrote:

OffTheBackAdam wrote:

STEFANOS4784 wrote:

Communism maybe worth another thry?!? Just need to remember what communism means

Tianamen Square, "Great Leap Forwards", "Cultural Revolution", Lubyanka, "Killing Fields", Hungary '56, Czeckoslovakia '67, East Germany '61, Mao, Stalin, yes, let's remind ourselves.
(Nb, above years quoted may be inaccurate)

I'm not an expert, but is that more down to "dictators"?

You don't think totalitarian systems (such as Communism) breed dictators then?

Lets take some baby steps first, like having the UK run on behalf of the people rather then on behalf of the Windsors. Currently Parliament reigns supreme, it is unchecked by anything. This is no way to run a country in the 21st century and in effect takes it out of the hands of us, the people. Sure, we get to vote, but in the 2 1/2 party, 1st past the post system, winning an election isn't about having the support of the people.

So, lets start off with a real Constitution that defines properly just what our rights as citizens really are, and limit the extent of Parliament to interfere. It shouldn't be written in stone, but changing it should only be possible after a referendum of the people.

It won't make a huge difference, but it might be nice to protect those things about democracy we actually want first, before tearing everything down. Right now we're losing those things anyway bit by bit, day by day. Half the "anti-terrorist" laws should never have been allowed to be passed, for example.

DavidBelcher

OffTheBackAdam wrote:

STEFANOS4784 wrote:

Communism maybe worth another thry?!? Just need to remember what communism means

Tianamen Square, "Great Leap Forwards", "Cultural Revolution", Lubyanka, "Killing Fields", Hungary '56, Czeckoslovakia '67, East Germany '61, Mao, Stalin, yes, let's remind ourselves.
(Nb, above years quoted may be inaccurate)

Add in a re-read of Animal Farm for good measure. Plus, "democracy is the worst form of government - except for all the other systems which have been tried", as the old quote goes, which I think was attributed to Churchill [1].

David

[1] Other notable Churchill quotes: "Ohhh, yesss". Though I may have got the wrong Churchill there.