Democracy, as the world knows it simply can not last in the world as we know it today!
The Western world has "enjoyed" all the
benefits of a stable Democracy for many decades, and yet without fully
understanding the responsibility that inherently goes with that
democracy. Therefore I contend, the time is arriving very quickly that,
democracy as we have known it in the Western world and in its true
form, by definition, and indeed as a logical conclusion just can not
continue to offer those benefits.
About to Fall? Yes fall. I believe the
very best definition of our democracy was that given by the renowned
British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill. This definition still stands
today but we do need to remember it is a very different world now from
when he uttered his famous quote "Democracy is a terrible form of
government but it is the best we have".
At that point of our history the world had
just survived an horrific World War which had forced by necessity, many
societies to redefine and also fully embrace and therefore appreciate
democracy and all the true freedoms it offered. But since then, western
society has progressively allowed misguided (all in the name of further
freedoms) and continual dilution of that democracy, and allowed it to
become steadily, but very surely eroded.
Since 1945 the World has lived largely in
peace and prosperity. Many arguments are put forward to explain that
state of affairs e.g. Modern communications guarantee a much lower
level of ignorance on international Politics and affairs among any
given population around the World e.g. It is widely perceived that the
falling of the Berlin wall can be largely attributed to that fact.
Surely the main reason though would be that the Nuclear age, has
stymied any real outbreak of war, as obviously more than ever before in
the past, there would certainly be no winners.
It's worth looking at the downfall of the
great Roman Empire, and what attributed to that fall and allowed the
Northern Tribes of Europe to sweep down and engulf and destroy that
great empire. Was that the third or fourth century AD? It is very
thought provoking when we look at, and see many similarities to many of
the issues demonstrating themselves now and becoming very apparent
today.
Democracy as we know it, post Abraham
Lincoln, is a relatively new form of government when looking at the
World's history over say, the last two thousand years. Many of the
signs manifesting themselves in our society currently, are, I believe
without doubt bound to lead, quite soon to a similar downfall. Given
that fact, it must be very timely, as we approach the new millennium to
take stock and look closely at these signs and just what do they mean.
Lets see if these "signs" sound familiar.
The Arts. The first being the presentation of what is now considered art by some individuals today.
This is important. Look at some of the recent examples in the USA, The United Kingdom, and also Australasia.
One exhibition touring the world was a small statue of the Virgin Mary draped in a condom! Yes a condom!
A much heralded exhibition of a canvas, with horse dung being plastered over it. An exclusive art piece?
Five tin containers of human excrement stored and stacked in a gallery?