The problems I described in my previous post are just the latest manifestations of Western civilization’s political malaise.
The October issue of the Atlantic Monthly was dedicated to the question “Is democracy dying?”
The articles in it are fascinating testaments of the confusion surrounding that malaise. Continue reading →
France is not the only place with protests. The Hungarians are protesting too. These protests are very different, but bring up similar questions about the nature of democracy.
I encountered the question, the one that is called a ‘scandal’ by the local media, in a Facebook post of a liberal friend.
“I am saying since 2010 that an anti-democratic, anti-republican and anti-parliamentarian legislative assembly must not be legitimated by the presence of the representatives of the democratic, republican, parliamentarian parties.
[……]
Let’s start building parallel institutions for a new historical starting point”
There were massive protests in Budapest last weekend (2018-04-14). The people were protesting the results of the election a week prior. They were asking for:
In a Facebook post before the rally, organisers called for a recount of ballots, free media, a new election law, as well as more efficient cooperation among opposition parties instead of the bickering seen in the run-up to the vote. (The Guardian)
The organisers of the anti-Orban protests have demanded a recount of all ballots, a new election law, a non-partisan public media, and better organised co-operation among parties opposed to the Fidesz government. (BBC World)
A friend reminded me of a joke, a communist era classic. The conversation then evolved into trying to guess how many of the people who did not grow up under communism would be able to get it. Whether you can or can’t, here we go; I will explain later: Continue reading →