Comments on: Belgium Explained To Slovenes (And Whoever Else) In Ten Easy Lessons http://www.pengovsky.com/2007/08/04/belgium-explained-to-slovenes-and-whoever-else-in-ten-easy-lessons-6/ sex and politics Thu, 20 Nov 2008 21:42:14 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 By: dr. filomena http://www.pengovsky.com/2007/08/04/belgium-explained-to-slovenes-and-whoever-else-in-ten-easy-lessons-6/#comment-16873 dr. filomena Sun, 05 Aug 2007 10:36:00 +0000 http://www.pengovsky.com/2007/08/04/belgium-explained-to-slovenes-and-whoever-else-in-ten-easy-lessons-6/#comment-16873 Dr. ARF, the real question here is what the driving force behind said politician's involvement in politics is. There is something inherently true about his honestly stated position. When it comes to the nitty gritty of things, representative democracy is the model that allows decisions to be made relatively quickly and effectively, much more so than direct democracy ever could in any society larger than an Amazon tribe. (Tyranny being the most effective form of decision-making :twisted: ) We supposedly elect our representatives not because we agree with every single point they make, but because we trust them to make decisions based on sound knowledge, research into consequences and a sincere desire to secure the society's best interests. None of us (except JJ, that is) is knowledgeable about every area of decision-making, so we delegate. That said, I would like to also point out that the politician you refer to comes from a culture that promotes the idea of hierarchy. And it is, indeed, so much easier to have someone else making your decisions. You can be still be pissed off at him/her. Here is a rather interesting illustration of this point, do watch: <a href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=jjfpXoAl11Y" rel="nofollow">People are sheep.</a> <em>Sounds harsh, doesn't it.</em> Yikes, I've really rambled on this time. Dr. ARF, the real question here is what the driving force behind said politician’s involvement in politics is. There is something inherently true about his honestly stated position. When it comes to the nitty gritty of things, representative democracy is the model that allows decisions to be made relatively quickly and effectively, much more so than direct democracy ever could in any society larger than an Amazon tribe. (Tyranny being the most effective form of decision-making :twisted: )

We supposedly elect our representatives not because we agree with every single point they make, but because we trust them to make decisions based on sound knowledge, research into consequences and a sincere desire to secure the society’s best interests. None of us (except JJ, that is) is knowledgeable about every area of decision-making, so we delegate.

That said, I would like to also point out that the politician you refer to comes from a culture that promotes the idea of hierarchy. And it is, indeed, so much easier to have someone else making your decisions. You can be still be pissed off at him/her. Here is a rather interesting illustration of this point, do watch: People are sheep. Sounds harsh, doesn’t it.

Yikes, I’ve really rambled on this time.

]]> By: ARF http://www.pengovsky.com/2007/08/04/belgium-explained-to-slovenes-and-whoever-else-in-ten-easy-lessons-6/#comment-16743 ARF Sat, 04 Aug 2007 18:58:17 +0000 http://www.pengovsky.com/2007/08/04/belgium-explained-to-slovenes-and-whoever-else-in-ten-easy-lessons-6/#comment-16743 I entirely agree with that conclusion. And if I am interested in politics, it is exactly because of this reason. One needs to keep close watch over those who think they're god's political gift to mankind and/or drunk with power and control over the herd. I once heard a christian democrat politician over here say that he was convinced that referenda were useless, because direct democracy doesn't work. In his opinion, those elected knew better than those who elected them and who they were supposed to represent. A rather honest outing for a politician, and a perfect and cynical illustration of your point, Dr. F... I entirely agree with that conclusion. And if I am interested in politics, it is exactly because of this reason. One needs to keep close watch over those who think they’re god’s political gift to mankind and/or drunk with power and control over the herd. I once heard a christian democrat politician over here say that he was convinced that referenda were useless, because direct democracy doesn’t work. In his opinion, those elected knew better than those who elected them and who they were supposed to represent. A rather honest outing for a politician, and a perfect and cynical illustration of your point, Dr. F…

]]> By: dr. filomena http://www.pengovsky.com/2007/08/04/belgium-explained-to-slovenes-and-whoever-else-in-ten-easy-lessons-6/#comment-16741 dr. filomena Sat, 04 Aug 2007 18:10:39 +0000 http://www.pengovsky.com/2007/08/04/belgium-explained-to-slovenes-and-whoever-else-in-ten-easy-lessons-6/#comment-16741 Dr. ARF, thanks again for educating us on the matters of Belgian history and politics. Your closing lines make me think about the prospects of peace in the Balkans with new generations having to deal with issues that seem terribly difficult to resolve in even three generations' time. It doesn't help that politicians lusting for power and control play the card of emotions so wilingly and recklessly. What they find useful is that <em>homo sapiens</em> is not only <em>zoon politikon</em>, but seeks comfort in being a herd animal as well, which produces a rather schizophrenic effect. Don't forget, but do forgive. Peace. Dr. ARF, thanks again for educating us on the matters of Belgian history and politics. Your closing lines make me think about the prospects of peace in the Balkans with new generations having to deal with issues that seem terribly difficult to resolve in even three generations’ time.

It doesn’t help that politicians lusting for power and control play the card of emotions so wilingly and recklessly. What they find useful is that homo sapiens is not only zoon politikon, but seeks comfort in being a herd animal as well, which produces a rather schizophrenic effect.

Don’t forget, but do forgive.
Peace.

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