Democracy is designed to rid the world of despotism by allowing the people to choose their own leaders; however, despots can still be elected to run the country. Pressures always exist to vote one way or the other. For example, if one man controls the army, he can basically do whatever he wants and be elected as many times as he chooses through threats and terror. However, Plato was not completely correct in his statement that “Democracy leads to despotism.” On some occasions, democracy can incur despotism. On many others, however, despotism does not exist. For example, in countries such as the United States and England, the way their governments are set up prevents despotism. By having more than one branch of government, the main leader does not have absolute power but instead is forced to share it with the many others elected to serve their country. Whether or not democracy will lead to despotism depends upon the way the government around the leader is set up.
I completely agree with you! Also, I like how you looked at democracy leading to despotism in more than one way with one possible out look and another impossible out look.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your statement to the extent that democracy is designed to rid the world of despotism. I don't agree though that its always threats and terror that lead strong people into a higher power. I believe that people elect those leaders purely because they don't want to have a say in their nation or out of free choice.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you because I also believe that democracy is designed to keep away depotism. I like your example of one man controlling the army, and essentially controlling the government.
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