I think Iraqis, Egyptians or Pakistanis all follow conventional practice in their part of the world corner. However, the results are maybe underwhelming. There must be more to just following local conventional practice to assure that democracy results in good governance. If there is a choice between understanding how to conduct OK-ish governance without democracy or bad governance with, social elites may switch their preference.
"What kills it, is a failure to insist upon the unwritten rules that prevent evil outcomes."
Actually, here in the States, we have a set of *written* rules supposed to prevent evil outcomes (which historically they have generally done, eventually). What is disturbing is that He and His minions (you know who I'm talking about) ignore our Constitution, then turn over and go back to sleep. This is not supposed to happen. He has already ignored a Supreme Court ruling -- or, rather, lied about it's content, then acted on the lie. This is not supposed to happen.
The Supreme Court has no non-metaphysical power to enforce its rulings, yet Presidents have obeyed them -- except for Andrew Jackson's ignoring the Supreme's throwing out of the Indian Removal Act (read Trail of Tears) in 1830 -- until now. So, technically speaking, the United States has already crossed the River. Charon firmly rows, eyes ahead, while America piously awaits the next Superbowl.
So do we. But they mean nothing without conventions. [Sorry, didn't see the rest of the comment]
One thing we have that you do not is that the judiciary are relatively independent of politics (as much as anything can be) and the police are required to enforce judicial orders. We also have court sheriffs and the like to enforce on the police if necessary. It's not foolproof (see the contretemps about the London Met, or corruption in the Queensland Police, under the guy I mention in the piece), but eventually the shit gets uncovered.
I do agree that we are distracted by sports, reality TV, and so on. I believe it is deliberate. *Panem et circus* and all that...
I think Iraqis, Egyptians or Pakistanis all follow conventional practice in their part of the world corner. However, the results are maybe underwhelming. There must be more to just following local conventional practice to assure that democracy results in good governance. If there is a choice between understanding how to conduct OK-ish governance without democracy or bad governance with, social elites may switch their preference.
"Disaster Porn"
Here in the United States, "The Daily News."
"What kills it, is a failure to insist upon the unwritten rules that prevent evil outcomes."
Actually, here in the States, we have a set of *written* rules supposed to prevent evil outcomes (which historically they have generally done, eventually). What is disturbing is that He and His minions (you know who I'm talking about) ignore our Constitution, then turn over and go back to sleep. This is not supposed to happen. He has already ignored a Supreme Court ruling -- or, rather, lied about it's content, then acted on the lie. This is not supposed to happen.
The Supreme Court has no non-metaphysical power to enforce its rulings, yet Presidents have obeyed them -- except for Andrew Jackson's ignoring the Supreme's throwing out of the Indian Removal Act (read Trail of Tears) in 1830 -- until now. So, technically speaking, the United States has already crossed the River. Charon firmly rows, eyes ahead, while America piously awaits the next Superbowl.
So do we. But they mean nothing without conventions. [Sorry, didn't see the rest of the comment]
One thing we have that you do not is that the judiciary are relatively independent of politics (as much as anything can be) and the police are required to enforce judicial orders. We also have court sheriffs and the like to enforce on the police if necessary. It's not foolproof (see the contretemps about the London Met, or corruption in the Queensland Police, under the guy I mention in the piece), but eventually the shit gets uncovered.
I do agree that we are distracted by sports, reality TV, and so on. I believe it is deliberate. *Panem et circus* and all that...