Putin to combat terrorism by...how else?...taking away rights

[notyoueither]

Of course, a single party is fundamental to democracy. How could we have missed that?

When I say 'real democracy' I mean the bases that enable a democracy to be sustained. Courts, independent (or non-political) police, and yes, traditions.

A 'real' democracy is one that can establish it and maintain it. I agree that Russia isn't there yet. Close, but the urge for the strongman means no cigar. Yet.

[notyoueither]

Curiously, India manages it.

[Propaganda]

Originally posted by notyoueither
Of course, a single party is fundamental to democracy. How could we have missed that?

When I say 'real democracy' I mean the bases that enable a democracy to be sustained. Courts, independent (or non-political) police, and yes, traditions.

A 'real' democracy is one that can establish it and maintain it. I agree that Russia isn't there yet. Close, but the urge for the strongman means no cigar. Yet.

nye, I didn't mean a single party within an array of multiple parties, but one solitary, unitary party representing society as a whole. Did you read my response to Berzerker's post? Or am I misunderstanding you?

And yes, I do agree that checks-and-balances in place are essential to further democracy, but democracy, literally, will only come to fruition once society as a whole can weigh in, without "checking and balancing".

A party ceases to be a party once it represents society as a whole. Less politics, more action, comrade

[notyoueither]

How do you ever arrive at a single party that represents all people? What do you do with those who disagree?

[notyoueither]

And all truely democratic political systems require checks and balances. Without them you find yourself in a real big mess, real quick.

[Propaganda]

Originally posted by notyoueither
How do you ever arrive at a single party that represents all people?

It must be (almost) purely economical in scope. Politics, as is, has its boundaries; economics is beyond borders.

Once you set up an economic system that fully represents and meets the majority's wants and needs, the minority absorbs into the majority, assimilating into society as a whole, if we take a look at it with a Marxist perspective.

The current problems in the world are due to economics; a minority is acting on behalf of the majority, putting its interests ahead of majority interests.

If economic woes are adequately solved(and they can be), politics will cease to have reason to exist.

P.S. I'll reply tomorrow, with emphasis only on the current situation in Russia, if I have time.

[notyoueither]

I find it difficult to believe that you will ever get happiness with a single party, regardless of economic disparity among citizens.

What do you do with those who disagree?

[Heresson]

- kill
- expel
- make happy other ways- force to look happy

[Kuciwalker]

[Berzerker]

NYE -

The FBI arresting a corrupt governor would be 'removing democracy'?

Yes, if that governor was elected (assuming the efficacy of your analogy). It's up to the people and their elected government to arrest corrupt members of that government, not someone outside of the democratic process.

[lord of the mark]

I wont dispute the details of russian elections, as serb has provided some valuable info to digest.

I would like to challenge the dichotomy some here in the west have, and which Serb seems to support of reformist Yeltsin vs centralizing Putin.

In fact Putin was Yeltsins hand picked choice of successor, IIRC. Yeltsin had NEVER been firmly allied with reformers like Yavlinksy and Nemtsov, but had always ruled through his own presidential party rather than through their liberal parties, and had always based his rule on his "kremlin family".

[PLATO]

Originally posted by Serb

Sure, because Russians do not have democratic traditions and institutions, like you had for centuries. Yeltsin's reforms brought chaos, and as consequence, brought crime and corruption instead of democracy. Now Putin tries to reduce this chaos. You need decades to establish true and successful democracy. Our current mess we call democracy would kill us way faster than decades if will do nothing.

I believe that there may be something to this line of thought.

serb has provided some valuable info to digest.

I agree.

Thanks Serb.

[pchang]

Fundamentals of Democracy

I think there are really only 2 things required for REAL democracy

1) The people somehow choose their government and who leads them
2) The government exists to serve the people, not the other way around

[Saras]

Re: Fundamentals of Democracy

Originally posted by pchang
I think there are really only 2 things required for REAL democracy

1) The people somehow choose their government and who leads them
2) The government exists to serve the people, not the other way around

Rule of law?

[chequita guevara]

We had massive corruption in our government from the end of the Civil War until roughly the turn of the century. We didn't get rid of it be contracting the rights of the people. We fought to create a more honest government. Russians don't want to do the hard work necessary to take control of their government. They're lazy and want a strongman to do it for them. Sad.