Democracy: A Transitory State?
Historically, and considering recent events, it would be difficult to consider “new” democracies as genuinely expressing the “will of the people”. Weimar Germany, 2nd Republic of Spain, occupied Iraq and the presidential elections in Afghanistan and the DRC all had voters split on sectarian, class or regional lines. In the end a “strong leader” ended up becoming the default option.
This was especially the case in the presidential elections in Afghanistan and the DRC. In both cases there was only one candidate who was recognised by the whole country with all the other candidates mainly only having support in certain provinces.
For westerners, these growing pains are a long forgotten memory and are often dismissed. The only example that comes to mind, strange as it may seem but it has a point, is the events during the Clone Wars in the Star Wars mythos. The events describe a transition from a constitutional republic to a dictatorship, but it would be an interesting thought experiment to see what would happen if a peace deal was made at the end of the Clone Wars.
In this hypothetical scenario, General Grievous, the Separatist leader, offers peace after the death of Count Dooku. After this, general elections are held throughout the Republic and contested space for the position of Galactic Leader. Standing in this contest are: Palpatine, the incumbent Chancellor; Grievous, as part of the peace deal; and Senator Padme Amidala and others. In this situation, it is difficult to see any result other than Grievous being denounced as a terrorist and Amidala being denounced either as a pacifist with Separatist sympathies, or her pregnancy and relationship with a member of the Jedi Council will come out and make her, and the Jedi, appear corrupt, thus both would lose to Palpatine, giving him the opportunity to destroy the Jedi anyway and declare himself emperor.
The real issues behind the political situation, being outlying system’s reluctance to support senate corruption, senate corruption itself and the Jedi’s ability to maintain peace, especially with the secession of some systems, are never discussed in the battle between personalities.
In all the situations described the “strong leader” type has an advantage over other candidates through existing powers. Elections in these circumstances are more like Bonapartist-style referendums then any kind of real expression of the popular will.
“Democracy”, in this scenario, is faced with two possible fates: be overthrown in a revolution or become a dictatorship.
Historically, and considering recent events, it would be difficult to consider “new” democracies as genuinely expressing the “will of the people”. Weimar Germany, 2nd Republic of Spain, occupied Iraq and the presidential elections in Afghanistan and the DRC all had voters split on sectarian, class or regional lines. In the end a “strong leader” ended up becoming the default option.
This was especially the case in the presidential elections in Afghanistan and the DRC. In both cases there was only one candidate who was recognised by the whole country with all the other candidates mainly only having support in certain provinces.
For westerners, these growing pains are a long forgotten memory and are often dismissed. The only example that comes to mind, strange as it may seem but it has a point, is the events during the Clone Wars in the Star Wars mythos. The events describe a transition from a constitutional republic to a dictatorship, but it would be an interesting thought experiment to see what would happen if a peace deal was made at the end of the Clone Wars.
In this hypothetical scenario, General Grievous, the Separatist leader, offers peace after the death of Count Dooku. After this, general elections are held throughout the Republic and contested space for the position of Galactic Leader. Standing in this contest are: Palpatine, the incumbent Chancellor; Grievous, as part of the peace deal; and Senator Padme Amidala and others. In this situation, it is difficult to see any result other than Grievous being denounced as a terrorist and Amidala being denounced either as a pacifist with Separatist sympathies, or her pregnancy and relationship with a member of the Jedi Council will come out and make her, and the Jedi, appear corrupt, thus both would lose to Palpatine, giving him the opportunity to destroy the Jedi anyway and declare himself emperor.
The real issues behind the political situation, being outlying system’s reluctance to support senate corruption, senate corruption itself and the Jedi’s ability to maintain peace, especially with the secession of some systems, are never discussed in the battle between personalities.
In all the situations described the “strong leader” type has an advantage over other candidates through existing powers. Elections in these circumstances are more like Bonapartist-style referendums then any kind of real expression of the popular will.
“Democracy”, in this scenario, is faced with two possible fates: be overthrown in a revolution or become a dictatorship.
posted by Legal Smeagol at 3:16 PM
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