Democracy

[ossian]

Some time ago I read an article about why democracy as a form of government is always doomed to failure. I believe that it was based on a belief expounded by some nineteenth century Scottish professor. This article was a series of one liners going from a state of bondage/serfdom right through an elective democracy and back again, the article says inevitably, to a state of bondage. I meant to file this article but didn't and am now trying to find it or it's original source. Can anyone help?

Regards,

Stewart

[KerrAvon]

Sounds like the Labour party manifesto!

[boxtops]

looks like Alexander Tyler http://www.lorencollins.net/tytler1.html

[ossian]

Many thanks Boxtops. It would appear however that no one really knows who wrote it. Whoever did write it, in my opinion, certainly pinpointed something fundamental to the human species. It would appear to me that we, the U.K. , are a heck of a lot closer to the end of the scenario than the beginning.

Thanks again,

Stewart

[heathfield]

JS - If you would like to hear a really interesting discussion on democracy, fanaticism, et al, have a listen to Andrew Marr's 'Start the Week' broadcast of yesterday (5th Nov). I only heard part of it on my car radio, but just had to listen again to it all when I got home. Fascinating stuff, in view of the US attitude to their present elections. These people really seemed to know what they were talking about. (It is 43 minutes long though!).

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01npgn5