The worst form of government except...
Published: Tue, 05/16/17
There seems to have been a lot of democracy around recently, some of it bringing surprises too. In the UK the 2010 election which resulted in a coalition government for the first time in generations. The 2015 election resulted in record numbers of votes going to ‘fringe’ parties, particularly UKIP although our wonderful first past the post system prevented actual representation in parliament. Except in Scotland where it kind of had the opposite effect for the SNP.
A manifesto promise by the Tories in the 2015 election resulted in a referendum on the EU. This was meant to be an opportunity to settle all that nonsense about leaving the EU once and for all as far as our leaders were concerned. And, that went according to plan didn’t it?
Now we have another election, called at short notice to give Theresa May a convincing mandate and a secure majority of Tories so that she can do, well whatever she wants to do as prime minister. Of course she is going to win because, well everyone says she is. However, if Mrs May and Mr Corbyn were race horses and I was a gambling man I think a few quid on Jeremy Corbyn to be the next prime minister would be an exciting bet. Just saying, and I would have to be a gambling man.
Then of course there was Marine La Pen getting to the last round in the French Presidential election and, by the way, what did happen between Clinton and Trump last year? Really? Well that is democracy for you I suppose.
I think Winston Churchill had a point when he said that. “The best argument against democracy is a five minute conversation with your average voter.” He is also quoted as saying. “It has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except for all the others that have been tried.”
How is that for a politician wanting it both ways? Did he believe in democracy or didn’t he? I think he did but was very well aware of the limitations of democracy at the same time.
The fundamental issue with democracy (and actually any other decision that people make) is that choices are made according to desire or attachment. People desire the new and exciting and they are attached to the status quo and what they already have.
So, for example. Why did some people vote to remain in the EU? Because they had a desire for Britain’s exciting future as part of that wonderful and progressive project which is a unified Europe. Or, maybe because they were afraid that Britain would lose the benefits of safety and security in trade, social conditions, finance, employment protection, and many other areas that come with being in the EU.
What about those who voted to leave? Maybe they had a desire to see Britain build and exciting and dynamic future in the wider world unconfined by the restrictions of the EU. Or, perhaps they believed that the unique character of Britain was being lost under the influence and effect of an overbearing European government in Brussels?
In all these examples who got it right and who got it wrong? They all did, and didn’t. The truth is democracy and all human actions make relatively little difference in the great scheme of things. Democracy does work most of the time by allowing a relatively harmless expression of desire for change while in fact not really changing anything. The big changes that do happen are actually driven by technology, finance and culture more than anything an individual political can do.
Is voting worthwhile? I would suggest that you might as well go and do it since the opportunity is there. Your choice however. Perhaps the real value in the process is what the act of voting teaches you. Make the effort to see the bigger picture. Listen to the politicians and observe how they promise a brave new world while also promising that nothing is actually going to change. Then ask yourself if you are voting to change the world for a desirable future or if you are just trying to keep things just as they are. Don’t judge in either case, just become aware.
regards
Graham
PS What is the purpose of learning and practising Stav? Simply to become aware of the reality we live in. We are centred in our own web, we can’t be anywhere else in time and space. But are you aware of this fact? My next course in Crewkerne on the 27th of May will explore the idea of developing awareness of the Web of Orlog through Stav martial training. I am not expecting many people because awareness is uncomfortable and is more than most people want, but if you are among the few who are prepared to take the risk of opening your eyes then check out http://www.somersetstav.co.uk/web.html