Sometimes you are permitted an apparent choice, where actually there is no choice at all.
Do you like dictatorships?
- Thread starter BigBlueHead
- Start date
I was an editor-in-chief once of a journal. I ran it as a dictator in the sense that I controlled everything. I also did most of the work. It was all very efficient.
I also got most of the credit.
That part didn't go down well with another member of the editorial team. He stopped talking to me and then produced a huge list with all the things I did wrong.
I quite as editor-in-chief. I was doing it for fun and now the shit hit the fan.
moral: dictatorships can be efficient in producing results, but people may rebel.
I also got most of the credit.
That part didn't go down well with another member of the editorial team. He stopped talking to me and then produced a huge list with all the things I did wrong.
I quite as editor-in-chief. I was doing it for fun and now the shit hit the fan.
moral: dictatorships can be efficient in producing results, but people may rebel.
Depends upon who the dictator is. Since most dictators presume to want to help everyone in their kingdoms they don't always do so without hurting many of the inhabitants as well. If you look at any dictator in history you will see that there were many people who suffered while a few made millions or lived very well above the rest of the country. Dictators want you to believe they want to help everyone when in actuality they are only out for themselves and their friends. 
I enjoy the poll as a reflection of the question.
But yes, of course I like dictatorships as long as I am the dictator. Otherwise, I quite frankly like the visage that I have a choice,even if none exists.
But yes, of course I like dictatorships as long as I am the dictator. Otherwise, I quite frankly like the visage that I have a choice,even if none exists.
Enlightened despotism is the only way to lead a people into an existance of harmony with our fellow sentient beings. Sadly, we have expired this option a long time ago. All that remains is conformity to society or the heavy burden of enlightened non-conformity of the self.
Despotism would be the ideal society in my head, but as of now it is not a reality and it I am certainly not in the career to do it. I think dictatorship has some benefits:
1. Democracy is based on 'feel good' politics, and not necessarily what is best for the community, economy or environment.
2. Democracy assumes that people understand the political climate and will do the right thing.
3. Despotism has a purpose and direction.
4. Despotism beleives in the whole rather than the individual.
5. Despotism is the best way to conserve natural habitats.
6. Despotism is post-moral.
1. Democracy is based on 'feel good' politics, and not necessarily what is best for the community, economy or environment.
2. Democracy assumes that people understand the political climate and will do the right thing.
3. Despotism has a purpose and direction.
4. Despotism beleives in the whole rather than the individual.
5. Despotism is the best way to conserve natural habitats.
6. Despotism is post-moral.
orthogonal
Registered Senior Member
Hello Hastein,
I agree with your list up to and including #3.
Charlie Rose (American PBS) interviewed a writer some months ago (I forget who it was) that remarked, "In this democracy we choose our dictator." I've been wondering about that ever since.
Michael
I agree with your list up to and including #3.
Charlie Rose (American PBS) interviewed a writer some months ago (I forget who it was) that remarked, "In this democracy we choose our dictator." I've been wondering about that ever since.
Michael
CounslerCoffee
Registered Senior Member
I find dictatorships interesting, horrible; but interesting. Am I the only one who feels this way?
Stryderunknown said:
Checks and balances. In theory presidency is just one of the three branches and each branch has equal power. In theory. Dictatorship doesn't have checks and balances.
Recently I learned that Taiwanese democracy has 5 branches instead of three. That's kinda cool.
depends on the dictator, doesnt it?
but can any human realy do a sufficient job of singlehandedly governing any number of his fellow men?
their is no way an individual can possibly represent anymore than himself, and hes lucky if that much.
but we'll leave representation up to democracy, this is a dictatorship were talking about.
the way i see it, if a person were intelligent and unbiased enugh that they could rationaly controll and govern a state of people, then fine.
bue such a godlike person surly doesnt exhist, so i say no. in any realistic sence, i would not like dictatorship.
but can any human realy do a sufficient job of singlehandedly governing any number of his fellow men?
their is no way an individual can possibly represent anymore than himself, and hes lucky if that much.
but we'll leave representation up to democracy, this is a dictatorship were talking about.
the way i see it, if a person were intelligent and unbiased enugh that they could rationaly controll and govern a state of people, then fine.
bue such a godlike person surly doesnt exhist, so i say no. in any realistic sence, i would not like dictatorship.
I would enjoy being a dictator and wouldn't mind being ruled by a dictator that was exactly like me in every way.
Your vote would be yes anyway, unless you didn't vote.
Overlychallenged
Registered Member
Isn't the poll a rather gargantuan simplification of a multi-faceted question? The word 'dictatorship' usually conjures up images of the bloody coups in South America and Chinese repression, but equally there are others that have had hugely liberating aspects to them. One that comes to mind in the present climate, is the dictatorship in Pakistan. More liberty, freedom and transperancy exits there today than under any democratic gobernment throughout its history. Not to say democracies are wrong...... like I said this is a hugely multi-layered!!!
Welcome to Sciforums Overlychallenged!
Of course it is a simplification.
Within a dictatorship the truth can easily be normalized.
Take the children from their parents for ideological education.
Burn the schools... burn the books... destroy anything that ever criticized.
All knowledge can be destroyed within one generation.
That leaves you with one choice... yes or yes?
EDIT: It doesn't have to happen this way, but ETHICS are the first casualty of a CRISIS.
Of course it is a simplification.
Within a dictatorship the truth can easily be normalized.
Take the children from their parents for ideological education.
Burn the schools... burn the books... destroy anything that ever criticized.
All knowledge can be destroyed within one generation.
That leaves you with one choice... yes or yes?
EDIT: It doesn't have to happen this way, but ETHICS are the first casualty of a CRISIS.