Do we deserve our Freedom

Do we deserve our freedom?

I overheard a conversation between two gentlemen of a mature age recently. They were discussing Donald Trump’s instigation of the crowds that invaded Capitol Hill following his electoral loss to Joe Biden in 2020. After criticizing the democratic form of government that tolerates and allows these sorts of antics one of these gentlemen said that most people are not fit to be free.

Now this is a very serious and important question. This is a very short blog and I can do no more than indicate my preference. I will start by saying that the greatest western philosopher, Plato, dealt with this issue in depth in The Republic. I have not read The Republic but know for a fact that Plato did not like democracy either. Or at least he did not believe that democracy is the best form of government. His view was that an aristocracy that ensures that people in power are competent is best. From a Google search:

Plato’s ideal and just state is an aristocracy, the rule of the best. He believed leaders needed to be wise and trained in how to run a state, just as captains of ships are trained in how to run a ship.

If you are interested in Plato (all western philosophy after his death has been described as footnotes to Plato) pick up a copy of the book The Story of Philosophy by Will Durant. Chapter One of this book in on Plato and discusses The Republic and the best form of government in some detail. According to Will Durant medieval Europe followed Plato’s teachings with aristocratic governments and the Catholic church giving guidance.

So I have some sympathy for people who think that too much freedom in not good for most people. In Buddhism also it is taught that occult mystical powers (got from meditating) are dangerous because most people do not have the wisdom to use these powers wisely. Most likely they will behave foolishly and harm themselves and others.

However I would still support democracy as a form of government. My reasons are:

1. Modern warfare depends on science and science depends on people having the freedom to think for themselves. As an example I only need to compare the USA with the Muslim countries. USA has an overwhelming superiority as far as military might is concerned. And that is because of scientific discoveries and inventions that western countries are good at.
2. Another reason why science is important is that we need inventions that will meet the challenges of climate change and global warming. Otherwise there is the risk of humanity exhausting the natural resources of our planet and global catastrophes will occur at that time.
3. A third criticism is the question – who will decide which people are given their freedom and who are not. I don’t think there is anyone who should be given the power to play God with people’s lives. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.
4. A related point is that democracy functions through a system of checks and balances. This is vital in order to avoid catastrophic blunders. Some people in India praise the Chinese dictatorship. But there have been instances of genocide committed by the Chinese government in the 20^th century. Millions of people lost their lives in these purges. And China is culturally speaking, one of the most civilized countries in the world and has been so for centuries. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.
5. Lastly I would say this to people who look wistfully at dictatorships and would have India be the same: If you want to change the system do so by coming into power and then holding a referendum in which the people decide whether they want democracy or an enlightened aristocracy or some other form of government. But as things stand respect the laws that give even undesirable people their freedom. Nobody has the right to put themselves above the law and play God with someone’s lives.

I feel strongly about point (5) above because I have myself been victimized by people who thought I was an undesirable element. Old readers of my blog will have read my comments on what happened.

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