The Problems of Implementing Democracy

'Everyone has an open mind until people come along and put things in it' and 'Some people are so open minded that their brains fall out'.

These two quotes are sort of witty and intended to be amusing, but I think they're quite true. In response to Ming Jun's post, I don't think that that's really open mindedness. Training people to accept whatever you say is probably brainwashing, and rather propagandistic, which seems to be somewhat dictatorship-like.

Yes, the teaching of democracy is key to getting the people to work in such a manner, but I think that forced education is just undemocratic to start with. Perhaps, people could be educated on the ideals and outcomes of democracy, and once they see the benefits of it, they will wholeheartedly join in.

However, that is how communism seems to work too - the people are benefitted, but then corrupt leaders and human factors come in, and the whole system falls apart. Look at Russia or China. The people were shown exactly how they would benefit, and they voted their leaders in, but eventually, there are millions of starving poor in rural areas, and corrupt officials who live padded lives. Communism was a good idea at first, but it is not a successful action. This would be due to human greed and selfishness.

Another problem is that the minority is overlooked in democratic votes or decisions. Just imagine, if all the Chinese in Singapore decided to vote for anti - non Chinese laws, there's nothing that can be done about it.

Comments?