The citizenry are obliged to overthrow the Banana Republic of Ireland

[pete2]

Is it the duty of the citizenry to overthrow a corrupt government by violence if necessary?

While I do not think the legal right to do this exists, is there a moral right & obligation to remove from office, a government that is involved in mismanagement, corruption and abuse of its office? In the absence of the agreed legal means, ie. free and fair elections which may be some time off, what are the responsibilities of the citizen in the face of say a government assuming dictatorial control?

Irelands constitution currently has nothing like the USA's 2nd Amendment: "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." But does the concept of a free states security include what might be called "domestic enemies" of a corrupt government? Are individual citizens obliged to become directly involved in removing such threats?

Leading on from this, do the Defense Forces have a duty or responsibility to intervene to protect the state from "domestic enemies"? If they were to stage a coup deposing such a government with a view to holding immediate elections would that be acceptable?

[geraghd]

No, because morally it would be dubious in setting a dangerous precedent and the fact that it would be arbitrary in nature to define a 'corrupt government' or 'domestic enemies'.

And morally, of course, the people freely elected this government, they should at least have them for the time that was agreed.

[evercloserunion]

Alright psycho.

[liathroidi]

citizeans voted the cretins in for 10 years so "you get the goverenment you deserve"

Bertie gave Ray Burke 2 ministerialships - no complaints. He appointed Liam Lawlor to the ethics committee, no complaints.

So citizens have had loads of opportunity to oust them but kept electing them. I think we should just get violent on people who voted for them

[BodyofEvidence]

speaking of banannas....Brian Lucey - Expect a return of NAMA-rama and '80s greatest hits

[Gadjodilo]

Am I the only one who is getting slightly bored with the increasingly hysterical, petulant tone of some of the posters here with regard to the economic crisis?

[Rocky]

Is it the duty of the citizenry to overthrow a corrupt government by violence if necessary?

While I do not think the legal right to do this exists, is there a moral right & obligation to remove from office, a government that is involved in mismanagement, corruption and abuse of its office? In the absence of the agreed legal means, ie. free and fair elections which may be some time off, what are the responsibilities of the citizen in the face of say a government assuming dictatorial control?

Irelands constitution currently has nothing like the USA's 2nd Amendment: "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." But does the concept of a free states security include what might be called "domestic enemies" of a corrupt government? Are individual citizens obliged to become directly involved in removing such threats?

Leading on from this, do the Defense Forces have a duty or responsibility to intervene to protect the state from "domestic enemies"? If they were to stage a coup deposing such a government with a view to holding immediate elections would that be acceptable?

Of course not, for many many reasons. However I can understand your frustration. We might be stuck with a government who are undeniably very unpopular and who the people once again clearly believe should be removed possibly for another 3 years and in reality there is nothing we can reasonably do about it. FF/GP could me destroyed in the local and European elections, lose both by-elections but as long as they have a majority in the Dail, then they can stay in government

However that is democracy and that is our system. In cases like this it would be good to have the ability to have a some sort recall election, like some Presidential democraies do though.

[owenfeehan]

It's been a while since I posted on p.ie, but I saw this thread, and felt compelled to mention that I think bananas are great!

[cactusflower]

The Fyffes are calling...

[Kev408]

It's been a while since I posted on p.ie, but I saw this thread, and felt compelled to mention that I think bananas are great!

Bendy ones or straight ones?