Re:France might be losing its first big information war
by cam_l on Friday December 07, 2018 @02:46AM
(#18625826)
Yep, the only reliable difference between functional democracy and dysfunctional is the level of education, both generally and politically.
Re:France might be losing its first big information war
by ironic_ali on Friday December 07, 2018 @10:48PM
(#18633805)
I recently had a thought about democracy (in any form), being a societal form of bullying on those that voted for the losing parties.
Compared to a dictatorship, democracy is 'better', as at least you get the opportunity every few years to have your views acted on by the politicians. But then, sometimes you don't. And if your views are on the fringes, your views will never be acted on.
Either way, a definition of bullying is someone using their power of consequences (whether it's a beating or emotional blackmail, blackmail, or fines or prison et al) to make others do what they want - which is what democracy delivers to the victors.
Still pondering and wondering about better ways....
Mob rule plays out with representative democracy too. Disinformation can get a mob boss elected and that mob can trample on minority groups freedoms.
It's the disinformation that is the issue. In both cases, the distortions will manifest.