Why democracy is still the best form of government | Alex Tan | TEDxChristchurch

With scandal, corruption and nationalism on the rise, it's easy to feel a sense of despair about the state of democracy. But is the alternative any better? In this insightful talk, Professor Alex Tan makes the case that democracy is still the best form of government -- and shares the secret of which kind of democracy works best.

[ThisIsMyRectangle]

"Why do we blame democracy instead of blaming ourselves?" really seems like its begging the question.

[MM-rlep]

“For Monarchy to work, one man must be wise. For Democracy to work, a majority of the people must be wise. Which is more likely?” - Charles Maurras.

[UVtec]

A bit akward listening to this after watching "The Death of Democracy" and "Our democracy no longer represents the people".

[johncyw]

This debate about whether democracy is best form of governance will be a question that will continue for generations to come . It really comes down to the person leading the country.
Be it a totalitarian one sometimes

[mykulpierce]

Democracy will always be ruled by those that control the discussion.

[gabrygobbetto]

Its intellectually dishonest for him to only use subjective opinions by citizens who live in a democracy, especially because by definition most of the citizens in a democracy believe in democracies.

[kch]

No form of government is without flaws, but democracy is the best out of all the flawed forms of government. Many criticising democracy are those armchair critics who are just deluded with it. We usually tend to forget that for every right there is a corresponding duty. And the duty goes beyond mere casting vote to protecting and fighting for the values and the fruits of democracy itself.

[liamellery]

Wow this completely changed my perspective! What an interesting and thoughtful presentation!

[John-wfif]

Democracy results in the rule by those with an ability to win the wisest with an ability to  govern..- plato

[sabrina-clqn]

1) Best large scale form of governance

2) majority of Democratic citizens support democracy

3) comparison: democracies are wealthier, less corrupt, higher levels of human development, citizens enjoy more human rights.

4) majority voting = more correct policies and decisions

5) achieves responsiveness, representation, and accountability

[jarjarbinks]

“Democracy is cringe read some Aristotle”-John Doyle

[sf]

it depends on what u mean by democracy, and it depends on who is in power

[LegentLim]

I live in Penang and recently the people elected local government increased water tariffs almost 3 times . This made me realize that democracy elected government can be irresponsible and incompetent .

[spazmagoog]

Something like half of the recommended videos I'm seeing on the sidebar are talks about how democracy is flawed or failing and why the majority is always wrong.


Sometimes I love the youtube algorithm.

[datta]

i live in the world's largest democracy, india. and if you ask me, i have sort of a very mixed opinion on democracy. it honestly does not matter which form of the government it is. it all depends on the sort of person elected/chosen. better education definintely brings out the best in democracy. no system is perfect, but atleast democracy tries to maintain equality and liberty unlike others. trust me you wouldnt want to go under kim jong or joseph stalin or yahya khans dictatorial politics.

[manumudgal]

No matter which form of government is there...it ends with dictatorship or autocracy but still we must sustain democracy as much as we can

[Wokeupdeadagain]

Wonderful topic and an excellent speaker. His speaking was clear, thoughtful, and relevant. I wish more people could communicate their knowledge in this way... I believe so much more could be accomplished.

[thenecromancer]

*Why Monarchy is the Best form of government:*

1. You know who to hold responsible, and a bullet will solve it.
(In democracy, there are so many oligarchs nothing will change if one is gone.)

2. Long term planning, over term based planning.
(A king must plan ahead for decades, not just a few years which will get changed by the next elected rep.)

3. You can blame the monarch when something goes wrong, instead of the politicians blaming the voters as they always do.
(It's a lot harder for a king to shift the blame when they are the highest authority of the land.)

4. Buying a politician is cheap, buying a king isn't.
(Paying a politician into betraying his own countries interests for profit is simple, a kings interests are rooted in his kingdoms. So it's far more difficult.)

5. A king actually cares about what is his, unlike the average politician.
(A kings children will inherit what he leaves behind, where as a politician leaves office after their term is up and leaves the office like a public urinal.)

6. Democracy is an illusion of power, when the media / news / and trending issues are controlled by financial interests.
(Money talks the loudest in a democracy as a vote is even cheaper than a politician.)

7. Need I go on?

[illi]

I hope he can go to Ukrayina to make a research on how democracy change their life.

[meridonmage]

True Democracy isn't truely ruled by it's government. True Democracy works itself & is infraStructured by Government....