Is democracy capable of solving our problems?

[Disillusioned democrat]

Outside of war-time, are there any examples of democracies taking the steps necessary to resolve core and fundamental issues with the system, or does it always need a revolution of sorts? The deeper we get into the mire that is our economic situation the bigger the “have nots” vote will be relative to the “haves” as more and more people run out of savings, lose jobs and pass the 12 month (I think) moratorium on mortgage arrears.
There are some REALLY tough choices to be made if we are going to be able to meet the requirements of the troika that will involve cutting peoples’ expectations of both services, security and lifestyle – both from a supply (net tax contributors) and demand (social welfare, pensioners, public service).
Has there ever been a peacetime seismic shift in a country’s democracy that would enable this kind of temporary suspension of “business as usual” enough to get the tough decisions made without jeopardising our long term sovereignty?

[linny55]

No - money rules , the rich get richer taking it all to the grave with them.

[statsman]

Outside of war-time, are there any examples of democracies taking the steps necessary to resolve core and fundamental issues with the system, or does it always need a revolution of sorts? The deeper we get into the mire that is our economic situation the bigger the “have nots” vote will be relative to the “haves” as more and more people run out of savings, lose jobs and pass the 12 month (I think) moratorium on mortgage arrears.
There are some REALLY tough choices to be made if we are going to be able to meet the requirements of the troika that will involve cutting peoples’ expectations of both services, security and lifestyle – both from a supply (net tax contributors) and demand (social welfare, pensioners, public service).
Has there ever been a peacetime seismic shift in a country’s democracy that would enable this kind of temporary suspension of “business as usual” enough to get the tough decisions made without jeopardising our long term sovereignty?

How may revolutions actually did any real good?

[MrFunkyBoogaloo]

In the meantime people, at large, seem more willing to sell their children, their families and neighbours to save themselves.

Mé Féinism reigns supreme in Ireland.

[Disillusioned democrat]

In the meantime people, at large, seem more willing to sell their children, their families and neighbours to save themselves.

Mé Féinism reigns supreme in Ireland.

That's just it - mefeinery won't last too long when the current policies simply push the curve past the point of no return - you can only really expect to be able to push the net contributors so far before it becomes a self-fulfilling spiral of diminishing returns, yet the "demand" vote will outgrow the "supply" vote, making democracy incapable of solving the problem. Sadly the time to act was 3 years ago when everyone expected it to be ugly, whereas now we're fooling ourselves into thinking that we can sustain our current level of expenditure, with a few more minor adjustments that everyone hopes effects everyone else.

[Dylan2010]

if something gets you into a mess you cant call on the thing to get you out. Democracy got Ireland into the mess due to the State trying to play marketmaker in everything even down to how many privately owned hotels were built.
As the same time the constitution gives the state unlimited financial power where the only voting gets done by international pension funds.

[Panopticon]

Outside of war-time, are there any examples of democracies taking the steps necessary to resolve core and fundamental issues with the system, or does it always need a revolution of sorts? The deeper we get into the mire that is our economic situation the bigger the “have nots” vote will be relative to the “haves” as more and more people run out of savings, lose jobs and pass the 12 month (I think) moratorium on mortgage arrears.
There are some REALLY tough choices to be made if we are going to be able to meet the requirements of the troika that will involve cutting peoples’ expectations of both services, security and lifestyle – both from a supply (net tax contributors) and demand (social welfare, pensioners, public service).
Has there ever been a peacetime seismic shift in a country’s democracy that would enable this kind of temporary suspension of “business as usual” enough to get the tough decisions made without jeopardising our long term sovereignty?

Yes.

History is rife with examples.

Ireland in 1987, Scandinavia in the mid-90s, Canada in 1993.

Here's a question for you: has there ever been a case where democracy failed, and led to chronic problems? The only example I can think of is Japan. Ireland's political and social culture is more like those of Scandinavia/Canada than that of Japan.

[Passer-by]

Yes.

History is rife with examples.

Ireland in 1987, Scandinavia in the mid-90s, Canada in 1993.

Here's a question for you: has there ever been a case where democracy failed, and led to chronic problems? The only example I can think of is Japan. Ireland's political and social culture is more like those of Scandinavia/Canada than that of Japan.

While I largely agree with your comments, it should be pointed out that Japanese politicians have a "Build it bigger" attitude wrt to their construction/property industry - not that our politicians would favour such an industry with loads of tax-breaks to encourage "investment" in it.

[Panopticon]

While I largely agree with your comments, it should be pointed out that Japanese politicians have a "Build it bigger" attitude wrt to their construction/property industry - not that our politicians would favour such an industry with loads of tax-breaks to encourage "investment" in it.

In this field, we have the opposite problem to Japan: our government is investing far too little in capital spending.

[Deadlock]

In short, I hope and believe so.

The problem isn't our democracy, flawed and cumbersome though it at times be. The problem is I think a mix, largely due to how we as a people expect our democracy to interact with us, and the administrative system those expectations and their management engender.