The Cycle of Democracy
In proportion as the structure of government
gives force to public opinion, it is essential
that public opinion should be enlightened.
George Washington
About the time our original 13 states adopted their new constitution, in 1787, Alexander Tyler; a Scottish history professor at the University of Edinburgh, had this to say about the fall of the Athenian Republic some 2,000 years prior:
“A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a permanent form of government. A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover that they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally collapse due to loose fiscal policy, which is always followed by a dictatorship.”
“The Average age of the worlds greatest civilizations from the beginning of history, has been about 200 years. During those 200 years, these nations always progressed through the following sequence:
1. From bondage to spiritual faith;
2. From spiritual faith to great courage;
3. From courage to liberty;
4. From liberty to abundance;
5. From abundance to complacency;
6. From complacency to apathy;
7. From apathy to dependence;
8. From dependence back into bondage.”
Professor Joseph Olson of Hamline University School of Law, St. Paul, Minnesota, points out some interesting facts concerning the 2000 Presidential election:
Population of counties won by: Gore-127 Million; Bush-143 Million;
Square miles of land won by: Gore-580,000; Bush-2,427,000
State won by: Gore:19; Bush:29
Murder rate per 100,000 residents in counties won by: Gore-13.2; Bush-2.1
Professor Olson adds: “In aggregate, the map of the territory Bush won was mostly land owned by the tax-paying citizens of this great country. Gore’s territory mostly encompassed those citizens living in government-owned tenements and living off government welfare…” The difference in the 2004 was even more in favor of Bush!
Olsen believes the United States is now somewhere between the “complacency and apathy” phase of Professor Tyler’s definition of democracy, with some 40% of the nation’s population already having reached the “governmental dependency” phase.
What brings empires down is the empires themselves. There is a never ending cycle that leads from destruction to rebirth and back again to start the process over. The wisest words of wisdom are: “And this too shall pass.” As in all things, this will pass and we will go back full circle.
None are more hopelessy enslaved
than those who falsely believe they are free.
Goethe
Bohdi Sanders
Warrior Wisdom
I agree with you Joseph. And, if we aren’t careful, we will find ourselves going the same route as the countries you named. Even now, our freedoms are gradually slipping away unnoticed.
I am so happy to read the political philosophy section in your newsletter because it is based upon the same principles our founding fathers believed in and your section on comparisons of voting patterns was also excellent and very informative. Once a majority of people think they are entitled to government hand-outs, and blame everything on those who work and produce, you know we are in trouble. The results of collectivism and socialism can be seen in Greece, France and other countries where the people have gotten used to being not productive and looking to the government to supply all their needs. Stay armed and stay free my fellow warriors.