The principle of democracy and its limits.

[MrFun]

Originally posted by Kirnwaffen
Fareed Zakaria has an interesting book on that focuses on Democracy vs. Constitutional Liberalism and how the two don't always go hand in hand. "The Future of Freedom". It's an interesting book.

I may have to check that one out.

[MrFun]

For someone who is all gun-ho about democratic processes, Drake sure demonstrates a lack of interest in any discussion about it.

[Blaupanzer]

Originally posted by Traianvs
FYI, Belgium is a constitutional monarchy. And I don't agree referendums entail 'more democracy' but if you think it does then that's fine.

I never attacked the USA, I was making some idle comments on a few of DarkCloud's ideas, with no specific objective in mind but to hear him out a bit

And hey we don't have any problems, we even have a 1.4% growth in 2008, despite this whole mess lately. Many countries in the EU watch us with envy now

The Constitutional Monarchy can reasonably be interpreted as a parliamentary Republic with a figurehead.

Noting the US provides more minority rights than the Taliban sounds like a sniping attack on the US system.

I have been reading now for over a year that your country is about to undergo a split/secession/divide. That sounds distinctly like a serious problem.

BTW, congratulations on the economic front.

[Traianvs]

Originally posted by Blaupanzer


The Constitutional Monarchy can reasonably be interpreted as a parliamentary Republic with a figurehead.

Noting the US provides more minority rights than the Taliban sounds like a sniping attack on the US system.

I have been reading now for over a year that your country is about to undergo a split/secession/divide. That sounds distinctly like a serious problem.

BTW, congratulations on the economic front.

There was a momentum for a split after the previous elections, when neither Flemish nor Walloons could agree on a common policy, but nowadays everyone's found their senses again.

We all know a secession by either side is economic suicide.

Secondly: I would never compare our republic with the US' republic. The latter is far less democratic than ours

Yes, I am biased.

[Naked Gents Rut]

For someone who is all gun-ho about democratic processes, Drake sure demonstrates a lack of interest in any discussion about it.

I'm busy, dude. I was up all night last night building a trade-weighted dollar index and was heavily drinking tonight.

[Zevico]

Funnily enough, I happen to be writing an essay about this very topic for an essay competition.

Stripped away of the legal mumbo jumbo, the question of the essay is: should courts have the power to strike down laws that make them engage in activity that they really, really dislike? If so, in what circumstances?

I think that the answer to that question is yes, but only in exceptional circumstances. The judiciary must act as a last check on the power of government: in effect, to save democracy it must attack it [or try to]. In my view, this means the court should invalidate any laws that:
- destroy the concept of due process and/or a fair hearing in a trial;
- deprives citizens of their voting rights for any reason [not strictly related to the topic of my essay though];
- discriminates against citizens for any reason [also unrelated];
- infringe unjustifiably on free speech/association/etc [also unrelated].

Apart from that, I think society, government and the law ought to be determined as the people through their representatives see fit.

[Alinestra Covelia]

Originally posted by Berzerker
so yer unhappy with majority rule, welcome to the majority

Classic quote!

[MrFun]

Originally posted by Naked Gents Rut


I'm busy, dude. I was up all night last night building a trade-weighted dollar index and was heavily drinking tonight.

fine