Does Direct Democracy Work? - Hunter Rawlings

Complete video at: http://fora.tv/2009/08/24/Hunter_Rawlings_Two_Strands_of_Liberty_in_the_Weste...

Professor Hunter Rawlings III links the fall of ancient Greece to its embrace of direct democracy, which he calls "mob rule." He cites California's dependency on ballot measures as a prime example of why pure democracy leads to "dysfunctional" governance.

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Hunter Rawlings, President Emeritus of Cornell University, explores the origins of the American idea of freedom. He explains that it arose from two conflicting schools of thought: the ancient Greek strand, which valued communal society over the individual, and the Enlightenment, which prioritized individual freedom.

He discusses how these ideas influenced the founding of America and how they continue to shape modern American society. - Chautauqua Institution

Hunter Ripley Rawlings III (born 1945) is an American classics scholar and academic administrator.

He is best known for serving as the 10th president of Cornell University from 1995 until 2003. Currently, he serves a professor of classical history in Cornell's Department of History and Department of Classics.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• voting
• voters
• votes
• california
• budget
• crisis
• ballots
• initiatives
• process
• legislature
• republic
• laws
• freedom
• government
• fora.tv
• foratv
• fora
• tv

[longinusmaximus]

i'd rather be governed by a million well meaning idiots than a handful of cold, calculating psychopaths. but the only reason we're stupid and ignorant, is because we let them do all the thinking for us. once we start governing ourselves, we'd quickly evolve intellectually and spiritually.

[freesk8]

Rawlings is a liberal who only dislikes the initiative process because of tax revolt initiatives.

That said, he missed the most important quote from the founders:

"Democracy is two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for dinner. Liberty is a well-armed sheep contesting the results." Benjamin Franklin

Occasionally, an initiative winds up defending our equal, individual rights to life, liberty and property. It is these initiatives that Rawlings opposes.

He prefers government control.

[grisgrisy]

great video thanks

[grisgrisy]

This is a great video

[kclaytor2]

@CentristFiascox3 And the Republicans are bringing a totalitarian government too. This is not right vs. left anymore. All sides are for totalitarian fascism.

[Lone432345]

If Direct Democracy is mob rule.Then Representative Democracy must be the tyranny of the minority. You can elect somebody talking about puppy and rainbows and the next the bomb goes off.When the people you hire to look out for your interest continue to ignore you. Its not much of reason to stay under that system. The Greeks did not have a constitution. There was no way to guarantee people rights. Switerland have indirect democracy.They dont look crazy. At least they have a say outside of voting

[messiniosEllhnas]

@BaboonJihad I agree, we also have technology that can make referendums piece of cake. To educate people is a long run but it pays at the end a lot. Thus California maybe has a difficulty now but people educate themselves politicaly by this procedure. If you have trust in your people they are going to surprise you how mature and responsible could be. Another thing is that you have to change the speed of things. I mean working 14 hours per day is not they way to built a good society.

[BaboonJihad]

I cannot see any logical argument given that all decisions should be made a few over millions rather than millions for a few.

[HousekaterClaudio]

This guy brings no real arguments but polemics.

[Shwaggetyshfifty]

@longinusmaximus I'd rather have voluntarism then direct democracy...actually, I'd rather have voluntarism anyways :3