I've been playing NationStates lately. Today I came across yet another of those "questions" to which the author clearly states the only acceptable answer. All three answers are insane. #3 is totally crazy, no explanation needed. #1, completely banning pesticides, is also crazy and thoroughly irresponsible, but clearly, this is what we're supposed to pick. #2 is insane too - who would condone products causing child deaths? Still, I picked #2. Now, I might be borderline obsessive, but whenever I see questions worded like this, my first thought is usually, "Sweden, 1980, the popular vote on nuclear power". In 1980, the Swedish people went to vote on the continued use of nuclear power in our country. It was an infected environment, shortly after the Harrisburg incident, and sensible debate was in short supply. The major political parties supplied three alternatives for the people to choose between. Amazingly, all the alternatives read "No". Sure, there were some different wordings. #1 was "let's stop developing nuclear power and only use it until we have another option". #2 was the same with some added hoopla, while #3 basically read "let's stop it in ten years tops, and ban all uranium mining". #2 won. If the only tables in the world were redwood tables with white painting, everyone in the world would be buying redwood tables with white painting. Does this mean that everyone in the world wants one? I shouldn't have to spell this out, but in a nutshell, this is the effect of parliamentary democracy on society. An informed or ill-informed elite decides on our opinions. If we don't share them, it's assumed anyway. We're forced to vote for them or simply shut up. The structure of society is such that it is very rare indeed that a new political force emerges, and if it does, it's normally a simple sensationalist movement. In Sweden and in much of Europe, it's simply not acceptable to, for example: A: Think that women are generally just as well off as men, sometimes better. B: Support the continued exploitation of nature's resources. C: Think that if not carefully controlled, immigration is a potential problem for our societies. These are just some examples. Many people hold these views. They are considered "dirty". Most people won't even say them out loud. It saddens me.
Only because the people don't demand better. If those idiots want to legislate laws that stupid, throw their collective asses out of power and elect someone else that will do a better job.
I'm in favour of nuclear power, unlike other "greens". However, I'm not sure what you're driving at in terms of parliamentary democracy.
I'm sorry, I should've said "representative democracy". What I'm driving at is that we have to be able to do this better today. This system was created hundreds of years ago, before even the mail system was fully developed. Now, it's a travesty. We pride ourselves, well, most do, in living in a "democratic country", but truth is, we don't. The people don't rule our nations. Popular votes like the one in Sweden 1980 should simply never be allowed to happen. People should be encouraged to take active part in the legislative process, with a voice in all matters. Now, I don't say that we should abolish political parties and the parliament altogether. All I'm saying is that the people should have the option to force either a parliamentary or a popular vote, depending on the support for such a vote. All popular votes must be legislative, not advisory. They should also, every single one, be allowed to vote on all issues presented before the parliament. If nothing else, this could legally work such as, "the parliament represents the people. However, I choose to have my own say in this matter. Thus, the parliament does not represent me in this case. My 1/8-millionth part of the people votes like this." Just some thoughts.
If every single issue is going to be voted on by the people, then why elect representatives at all? Also have you not been paying attention to what is going on in California? A perfect example of when 'Ballot Initiatives' become a large part of the legislative process.
