Is democracy capable of solving our problems?

[Cato]

I'd actually argue that you can't use ireland as an example because the "recovery" in the late 80s early 90s was very quickly hijacked by our democratic process and destroyed within two terms in offfice.

Do you have a suggestion for what we should do? The 'Sulla' option (without the bloodshed) is always tempting on some level, but Sulla was rare in his voluntarily standing down.

[Disillusioned democrat]

Do you have a suggestion for what we should do? The 'Sulla' option (without the bloodshed) is always tempting on some level, but Sulla was rare in his voluntarily standing down.

Being honest - I'd like a tecnhocratic government for the next 5 years - one that won't have to worry about re-election, one with no baggage that disappears once the 5 year term is up, but then that subsequent governments must operate on a flat rate of tax and balance the budget year on year thereafter.

[LamportsEdge]

'Is democracy capable of solving our problems?' Firstly I would say how would we know? We have the appearance of democracy and the institutional corruption which prevents an outbreak of democracy with which we might be in danger of becoming familiar has always undercut any democratic principle since the founding of the state.

I would say we have yet to see self-determination and a Republic remains as distant a dream as it always was. To address your question more directly democracy in itself is not an answer to any problem but rather a method of going about solving inequities, corruption and should in its robust days engender a feeling of contentment with the judicial system and a comforting expectation of equity among citizens.

That is the ultimate aim of democracy and Republic. When measured against what we have seen and found out about the way our country is run brings no sense of either demos or Republic.

In short I would be able to answer your question with more confidence if I had a sense that we knew in Ireland what democracy looked and felt like.

[shiel]

Being honest - I'd like a tecnhocratic government for the next 5 years - one that won't have to worry about re-election, one with no baggage that disappears once the 5 year term is up, but then that subsequent governments must operate on a flat rate of tax and balance the budget year on year thereafter.

Sounds suspiciously like what happened in Greece and Italy and what is being written into the new treaty!

I am afraid I belong to the school of thought that says that democracy is a f...ing awful system of government until you thing of the f...ing alternatives.

But then utopia is as far away as ever. Even in Ireland. Especially in Ireland.

[Casabian]

I do think democracy can solve our problems but only if we use it to elect politicians who have the experience knowledge and motivation to identify what our problems are, present their solutions and implement those solutions once elected. Democracy is'nt going to solve our problems if we elect politicians because they tell us what we want to hear and promise lots of goodies for the local constituency.

[shiel]

I do think democracy can solve our problems but only if we use it to elect politicians who have the experience knowledge and motivation to identify what our problems are, present their solutions and implement those solutions once elected. Democracy is'nt going to solve our problems if we elect politicians because they tell us what we want to hear and promise lots of goodies for the local constituency.

I am afraid the first sentence describes utopia. The second is reality because we would not elect the first crowd.

[LouBystander]

Some people think that going out and spending 1 minute to cast a vote in a General Election and thereafter being powerless for another 5 years is true democracy. IT ISN'T.

If you want to know just why this pathetic political system we have is NOT democratic and can never be democratic read my free online 'book' at (I am not allowed to post a link, so use your intellect. It's an Irish web site ie and it is for each and every IrishCitizen. Or search 'Lou feudal democracy'). You can read the separate chapters online or download a pdf file. It's 155 A4 pages approx and then you will begin to have some idea of just how dysfunctional our present political system is. If you think you care about this Nation and its future, the ordeal of reading this 'book' will verify that!! Be warned - it's tough going.

Democracy CAN work but there are no examples of it anywhere. Yet.

Lou