The Limits of Democracy

Democracy

Democracy is a form of state governance in which power is exercised by the people - by participating in elections, votes, referendums, or by delegating a representative [1]. Democracy in its classical form originated in Greece many centuries in the distant past. The model of democracy that emerged and developed in the 17th and 18th centuries differs sharply from the Ancient Greek model, and this model of democracy was called protective democracy. It was based on increasing individual freedom. Such a model of democracy both limits state power's interference in private life and theoretically gives citizens the opportunity to live as they wish.

One might even think that in the 18th century the influence of church power began to diminish and passed to the holders of large capital, who in modern times could be called oligarchs.

Freedom of Speech

Freedom of speech is one of the fundamental rights provided for by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In its broader sense it is understood as the right to freely and publicly express an opinion or propose an action in any form, being protected in the process of exercising this right from any attempts to prevent the expression of this opinion. Freedom of speech includes a prohibition on censorship.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a document adopted by the United Nations in 1948. An interesting fact: in 1948 the UN adopted a resolution calling for the creation of a Jewish state (Israel) in the British Mandate of Palestine, which was also done one hour (!) before the mandate expired [3].

Capitalism

Capitalism, in turn, is an economic system in which capital (money, property) belongs to private individuals rather than the state or some community (for example, the church). Capitalism is also referred to as the free market, in which prices are determined by competition, and supply by demand.

Although democracy is by no means ideal - at least not such as developed in the 18th century - nonetheless, as Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865) once said: nothing better has been devised. Meanwhile, a piece of folk wisdom - "It's cleverer to talk than to chop wood" - prompts one to reflect that as soon as a citizen no longer feels a direct threat (the threat of war), they quickly sink into philistinism and become too sluggish to participate in political processes, or quite simply are incapable of understanding the consequences of decisions made. As a result, decision-making is entrusted to the servant of the people.

Whose influence has not diminished over time - sex, power, and money.

The Limit of Democracy

Without delving into the history of democracy's development and without analysing its advantages and shortcomings, but contemplating democracy and capitalism (even such as it is in Latvia), one can very quickly arrive at a break in the thread of thought, followed by - "yes, but...".

For example - "you can freely express yourself". Yes, but:

• you may not infringe upon another person's rights and freedom;
• you may not defame anyone, because even if it is obvious, until a court has ruled, it cannot be an uncontested assertion;
• you can express yourself, but no one is obligated to listen;
• you need to have enough "clout" for your opinion to be taken seriously at all;

For example - "power belongs to the people". Yes, but:

• nowhere does it say how quickly or how well something must be done;
• who is the people? You, me? No, there are also those others who think differently;
• if you were in their position, you would most likely do similarly;
• you can choose from what is offered to you, not from what is actually needed;
• the employment contract is more important than this assertion;

For example - "at elections the will of the people is decided". Yes, but:

• only that portion of the people who actually come to vote;
• electing "someone" who was able to hire capable spokespeople;
• you can choose not to vote - then someone else will decide in your place;
• you can appoint, but not recall;

For example - "a person can be happy". Yes, but:

• happiness is individual, whereas democracy is social;
• taxes must be paid to the state, so one must work (perhaps not at work that brings joy);
• you must save for a pension if you want to be happy in old age too;
• you cannot go to the neighbour's garden to get potatoes;

For example - "prices are determined by competition". Yes, but:

• if there are many competitors, not just a few retail chains;
• everyone wants brands, even if they are made in Turkey;
• production costs are also influenced by the price of energy resources (where the word competitor is often replaced by partner);
• the philistine mindset is to choose more for less;

For example - "you can become rich". Yes, but:

• at someone else's expense, not through your own labour;
• you will have to share. If not with criminals, then with the state certainly;
• you can only aspire, without escaping the hamster wheel;
• you can also become poor;

As a result of such reflection, I arrived at a few conclusions

Contrary to the fundamental democratic principle of a citizen-appointed representative (deputy), such a person is not put forward from the people, but rather the people must choose from among the politically or economically engaged spokespeople put forward by a financial grouping (party) (for example, a beloved actor).

The people can participate only in the adoption of decorative decisions, by taking part in referendums. For example, the people can vote on a second state language, but most likely there is no mechanism (or it does not function) for voting to reduce or abolish taxes.

The price of a product or service is determined not by the producer or the buyer, but by the retail chain. This is as mysterious an entity as a bank, which creates neither money nor value, but manages through speculation (possibly distorting the market) to earn in a perfectly legal manner.

In Latvia there is no political culture - there are only economic interests that pursue political goals.

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy
[2] http://www.gudrinieks.lv/referati/eseja-domraksts/demokratijas-butiba-un-tas-problemas.html
[3] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel
[4] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capitalism