Saturday, April 13, 2019

frenzy of power, frenzy of rabble

History is not always kind to those who sit at her feet. John and John Quincy Adams bear witness to the subtle swords of those who adore "aristocracy" and those who adore "democracy."
The Adamses were students of human psychology. In their wide travels through Europe they observed the abuses brought on by monarchy. But they also saw fundamental flaws in the quasi-religious adoration of the spirit of democracy....
While humans remained subject to their passions, positive outcomes were never ensured. This is dangerous territory – after all, no one wants to be told that the dynamic story of the rise of democracy is an exercise in mass self-delusion.
The article is longish and requires thought, but perhaps it is worth it in the current climate.

1 comment:

  1. Good article.

    Might read the book from which the article was essentially an excerpt.

    It is my sincere wish that one day it will be commonly understood what the ancient Greeks considered a democracy.
    In the meantime see
    https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-greece/ancient-greece-democracy

    Hint out of 100,000 only about 10% could vote.
    Dictionary definitions of democracy?
    Hah!

    If we had such a democracy it’s unlikely Trump would be a leader of anything.

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