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MAS DEM OCX AC/ FAILED?
This question has plagued the student of Philosophy ever since the
theory of democracy was first advocated and'then tried. As far as we
can learn it was first studied by the ancient Greek Philosophers and
first applied there, in a rather limited sense. Socrates agitated his
inquiring pilpils with questions about its worth and how it compared
with 'other systems of Philosophy. The outstanding thing about Socrates
beliefs, seems to be grounded in the principle that,first one should,
as he says; ’’Know Thyself" and second that criticism should never be
supressed in any event, but he did not trust the mob or the representiv^'
chosen by them and finely lost his life, by advocating a philosophy
that did not coincide with the more popular beliefs of that time.
Later Aristotle another great Philosopher had a great deal to say in
regard to the faults of Lemocrac:/’ and advocated giving power to rule
and teach to a small aristocratic collection of the citizenry. These
men were to be selected according to their superiority as thinkers and
adminstrntors. However both great Philosophers found many possiable
faults with this system that might occur and which have occured in most
instances. Although the ideal government has been discussed and many'
a Utopia planned, it has never quite panned out.
Our government' was planned-and started out by men who did not hold to
either the Democratic or Aristrocratic plan exclusively, in fact it was
a combination of both and is controlled by a system-of laws, expounded
by the Constution of the United States, in theory our supreme court is
aristrocratic, for its members are supposed to be selected because of
their superority in matters pertaining to the interpatation of our laws,
but the law making bodies are supposed to be democratic Inform, but are
really representive or republican another part of the triangle.
Now how has it worked? Did millions of people come to the United Stater
from Eurooe, where they were ruled by Kings, Dictators and other kinds
of rulers, with various kinds of political philosophies, because they
prefer t\ e type of government that v/e have? Well perhaps few of them
believe that our government is perfect but they do appreciate the fact
that they are allowed to become citizens and participate in the election
of cur rulers who make and execute our laws.
One thing that stands out v/ith great clarity is the fact that we can
change oi‘ modify practicaly any law that we have by elective action.
There are no bad laws that cant be ‘done away with or good laws tha.t
cant be adopted if we want them. And no small group who desire to plant
themselves in our government as aristrocratic dictators can do so uncaps
we permit them to do so. This is a .valuable priviledge and we should
guard it determindly. We should remove all dictatorship in the making
in both ligh and low places. Little dictators will support big dictators
in order to preserve the system and are really more dangerous that the
big dictator, because when he falls his power is gone, but if thousands
of little dictators remain then the system still remains and some one
more powerful than the rest will assume the leadership. Men in power who
abuse their priviledges and who are building an organization just to
help themselves are dangerous to a free government.