Democracy as a synonym for "Good"

Is democracy really the "moral" way?

Imagine for a moment there is a ship, and it needs to reach Miami from London. This vessel needs a captain, and people will vote on who that captain should be to make the voyage. So now, who would be better equipped to vote on said decision? A group of normal citizens of London? Or a group of men who are highly knowledgable in seafaring? The answer is incredibly obvious when looked at in such simple terms, so if we take this to a larger scale: why would people who know little to nothing about politics, society, history, leadership or government be qualified to vote in elections that determine the rulers and laws of a country?

This example is stolen from Plato’s Republic, yet is just as relevant today as it was then. As someone who has interviewed thousands of people on subjects such as politics, culture, media, religion, history and science, I can say with much certainty that the vast majority of people are wildly misinformed and uneducated. Political ignorance in the English speaking world is absolutely astounding, regardless of political party. According to new studies, only 13% of American eighth graders meet proficiency standards in American history. In a recent survey, 37% of Americans couldn’t name any protections given under the First amendment, and a quarter of people could not name all three branches of government, with a third not being able to name even one. Yet, these people surveyed can vote in any election just the same as someone who knows all of the answers and is well informed and involved.

Democracy is the apparent means by which those being ruled are able to hold accountable those in power to not be dictated by the whims of unjust rulers, so when we think of the term “democracy,” people inherently think, “good” and “moral.” People believe democracy is the pinnacle of freedom and modern age exceptionalism, and any place that is bereft of such a system is a tyrannical dictatorship. Hell, even North Korea calls itself the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to appeal to the democratic sympathies of the rest of the world. But this burden of freedom, taken on by those who care nothing about their country, or those who are swayed by flashy messages, social pressures and acceptance, and copious amounts of campaign money have the same shake as one who is completely informed and in touch with all issues and systems of the country they reside in. Is democracy really more moral than say, a monarchy? Let’s look at another example.

I have a dollar, and you and your mom don’t. You and your mom vote to take my dollar. Is that moral? Of course not, it is unfair and tyranny directed towards the minority. But I hear you say, “well America is not a true democracy, we are a constitutional republic! It is not the same.” Yes indeed you would be correct, but the implications on morality are the same. The real issue lies once again in the misinformed voter, and due to the fact that the masses don’t know or don’t understand what they actually need to govern themselves correctly, they end up creating terrible governments that end up exploiting them regardless, the exact reason they had “democracy” or a “constitutional republic” in the first place.

If the education of your country is not equipping people with the tools they need to be informed and knowledgable voters, then democracy is fundamentally flawed and holds no moral standing due to voting being a tool to gain power over others due to your interests being carried out over another through the majority. In ancient Athens, there was democracy, but it was only awarded to those who were well informed and in tune with the political landscape. The crew of the ship analogy know well enough how to govern themselves and choose the best people for the job due to their knowledge, and the input of the uninformed will only hinder their ability to make the right decisions. In a country, those who are informed and understand what is taking place in their country know better how to vote than someone who does not, and they and the misinformed people are hindered by the fact that the uneducated are able to vote.

I will not say we now must uproot all forms of democracy in this country and turn to authoritarianism for our government, (although I could very well be in favor of a monarchy with a constitution ingrained with rights afforded to you by God that can not be changed or taken away, where the leaders are trained from birth to rule,) but what I do say is that I have heard enough loonie’s scream “OUR DEMOCRACY IS AT STAKE” at rallies and protests to feel that this is an issue that must be addressed and expounded upon. Democracy can not function purely and correctly without an informed voting populous, and in America today, we are far from that. People vote for people who align historically with their identity group, (for example, blacks with democrats,) they vote for who will give them the most social benefit and acceptance, and who have the most money to be front and center. Most do not vote on informed and well educated decision making.

Voting is a right afforded to you in the West, do not waste it on frivolousness and misdirection. If you are not informed, do not vote. Save the people who are informed and equipped to make these decisions the trouble of having to deal with the consequences of your stupidity at the voting booth because you were too busy watching Netflix to research what the candidates actually believe. If you want to participate in the democracy we have, take responsibility for the power you have and don’t waste it, or the rest of us will pay for your decision.

-Will Witt