cpnichol @ 2007-09-14 06:10:49
Good quote. Reminds me of politicians saying they will spend more to provide more services, whilst at the same time promising to cut taxes.
Atrus @ 2007-09-14 08:49:50
In the year 1790 it's likely that what Tytler said had been and for his immediate future was true. Even in today's world there are countries where that formula would still apply, but I would argue that in our time neither the creation or the death of a democracy is so easy to define. Technology advances in travel and communications, the rapid exchange of information, International Trade, and the emergence of a global economy all contribute to democracy and it's continued stability. I don't see a breakdown in democracy, but what does concern me is that the world today is like a spinning top balanced on the pin point of its technology. We are far too dependent on a wide range of technologies and this makes us vulnerable. We take for granted that we have air conditioning, elevators, maintained roads, working street lights, and a loaf of bread or gallon of milk is just a quick run to the store away. What would happen if just one or two of our systems were to fail. What if there was no electricity, what if the railroads where somehow brought to a halt, how quickly would we seek to change our brand of democracy if we could no longer feed our children or keep them warm in the winter? If there is bondage in the modern world it is to technology that we bind our fate. Greed and ambition has and will always be the engine that drives democracy. Democracy is not an issue, technology is. The evolution of thought brought democracy, the evolution of democracy brought technology. Democracy is the vehicle, technology the destination - Tytler could not have seen the future, or where democracy would lead.
