Status quo: Is it natural or is it plastic?

[coberst]

Status quo: Is it natural or is it plastic?

National governments in the West have advanced from Monarchies to Republics. Societies have moved from rule by a monarchy aided by the aristocracy, to rule by a plutocracy subject only to ratification by the citizens of the republic.

It seems that, like the poor, we constantly have with us a privileged class. Is it possible to organize a well functioning democracy that does not support a privileged class?

Let me give you my definition of privileged class.

Fifteen years ago there was a humorous saying about George Bush the elder, which went something like this, “George Bush was born on third base and thought he had hit a triple”. My definition of a privileged individual is one who was born on “third base”.

Evidently many assume that the privileged classes are those who have higher IQs or some kind of natural endowment. I do not consider this to be privilege. The privileged are those who, by birth, are endowed with great wealth thereby being placed into a position of power and prestige without any meritorious effort on their part.

Can a democratic society function effectively if no individuals are allowed to inherit great wealth?

[mej023]

The resources available to everyone are unlimited.

If more resources are required then they are created.

Source is unlimited.

What you describe is a focus on a belief system that has been manifested in your reality.

[Jennihul]

Can a democratic society function effectively if no individuals are allowed to inherit great wealth?

Yes, but as with our country, it takes time. MUCH more time than we typically allow an embryonic, modern-day democracy.

It also takes VISION. Starting from scratch with a club of like-minded dudes and dudettes, is one thing. Convincing confused commoners who have lived through several paradigm shifts in one lifetime, is another.

By it's very nature, democracy can't be forced upon people with any great success. Which is why I abhor the US's current foreign policy. The US can't even do it right itself.

Jennifer

[coberst]

I think that a democratic society does not require a great gap in wealth between the top and the bottom in order to be successful. It is a unique idea but I think it could well work.

“In a society as it actually existed in 1787, the privileged few were already in a position to size the first jobs in the judiciary. Since justices were the only officers with life tenure, and since the framers had carefully arranged for “judicial control” over legislation, they could have things their way for all the foreseeable future.

Even if the judiciary should some day come into different hands, so that active protection of the privilege was no longer possible, the system of checks would serve the propertied class…In a society “where the field of private property is already extended to cover practically every form of tangible and intangible wealth”, a deadlocked government serves owner’s interest almost as well as one rigged in their favor. Government continues to help them just by doing nothing.” page XV

Quote from “Explaining America”—Garry Wills

[Brutha]

Can a democratic society function effectively if no individuals are allowed to inherit great wealth?

When you focus on the prevention of inherit wealth, you are focusing on envy which is bad.

It's much better to focus on improving the chance of the "lower class". You might finance it by taxing the rich, but you goal shouldn't be to take something away from them but to actually giving to the "lower class".

In Germany it is possible to be born in a working class famaly and get elected as Bundeskanzler as Gerhard Schroeder proved. Neverless you can argue that he wasn't lower class at the time he got elected.

A huge problem in the US is that the lack of public financing of elections, leads to a requirement for policitians to be wealthy to get elected.

[coberst]

Originally Posted by Brutha

A huge problem in the US is that the lack of public financing of elections, leads to a requirement for policitians to be wealthy to get elected.

I agree. It is a shame that our fellow citizens fail to comprehend this very serious shortcoming.