The natural successor of democracy is tyranny
In an excellent foreword to a 1983 sci-fi anthology, Jerry Pournelle notes that it has ever been the nature of the world and humanity that intellectuals tire of the struggles inherent in democracy and are seduced by the lure of solving all the problems at once via a charismatic, suave man of the people type, come to save us from ourselves. Anyone with half an awareness of history and current events can draw the parallels; can replace dated history with more recent events. The song remains the same.
The sad truth is that democracy itself is often unstable. Intellectuals lose faith. Democracy is not flashy. It falls out of fashion. The intelligentsia feel scorned, unappreciated, and turn to new theories.
There are other pressures. Republics stand until the citizens begin to vote themselves largess from the public treasury. When the plunder begins, those plundered feel no loyalty to the nation—and the beneficiaries demand ever more, until few are left unplundered. Eventually everyone plunders everyone, the state serving as little more than an agency for collecting and dispensing largess. The economy falters. Inflation begins. Deficits mount. Something must be done. Strong measures are demanded, but nothing can be agreed to.
…
Self-deception never ends.
The truth is that no nation is safe. Tyrants seldom come openly, their hands dripping with blood, their eyes blazing with hate. More often they come as friends of the people, tireless workers for the public good, heroes who will save the nation; who will cut the Gordian knot of parliamentary babble; who will carry out the people’s will.
They come with promises. If we will disarm ourselves, they will provide professionals to protect us. If we give over our property they will assure us jobs. Crime will be abolished. Poverty will vanish. Together we will build a nation worthy of the future.
Via Ace of Spades
