Comments on: Populism – more than just fun to say

By: Cammy

Cammy — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 18:44:57 +0000

Agreed (there must be a better approach)! I hated myself for writing that comment because I think what you’re getting at is fantastic. It’s interesting because democracies that have British-style systems (hierarchical, value on expertise) are less likely to be tyrannical but clearly a Republic-style democracy like that in the US does wonders for idea generation. I don’t think there is anyone who would argue with that. The trick is to find the right balance, I guess. Maybe it’s time for a generational leadership shift. Desperately seeking enlighteneed, forward-thinking individuals. We want to be inspired, we want to act, we want to feel empowered.

By: Nevin

Nevin — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 03:16:50 +0000

Great comment Cammy, I love “tyranny of the majority.” I can absolutely see that a wide-open populist approach might create its own version of stasis and a hesitancy to go in new directions. However, there must be some way to to better access the intellect and wisdom of the group. Perhaps it’s idealist, but I think if we took a more populist approach, leadership would emerge that could take us in directions the “crowd” doesn’t envision. I want those leaders to be enlightened, forward-thinking individuals that naturally grow into positions of influence instead of the grey-haired, game-playing statesmen that get placed there artificially. I want leadership, not the illusion of leadership. Is there a name for that? Meritocracy?

By: Cammy

Cammy — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 22:34:07 +0000

The problem with populism, though, is that it doesn’t account for tyranny of the majority. Without some leadership (and possibly by elites) we’d never have made a lot of advances like respect for minority rights (abolishment of slavery in the US for example) or something many Canadians value – healtcare. Another, less philosophical, problem with populism, I think, is that human beings are generally change-resistant and there are a lot of good things we wouldn’t have without someone leading change.