Democracy falls apart when the electorate is uneducated. That’s why Trump loves them, they uncritically believe anything he says. Democracy thrives when voters understand the issues and how government works, and are therefore able to make intelligent decisions.
Basically every single philospher or political theorist or whoever, throughout all of history, makes a point of saying that Democracy requires a reasonably well informed and a reasonably educated population … as a necessary prerequisite.
Take that out at the knees, as the Republicans have been doing for 40 years, and its no wonder that Democracy seems like a dubious concept, when the average reading ability of the average US adult is that of a 6th grader.
Turns out 6th graders aren’t really that knowledgeable and can be easily lied to or tricked.
In reality, politicians are influenced by money etc regardless of electorate education. Fptp and two party systems exacerbate it and entrench worse candidates.
I still think it’s funny that people trusted Trump over Biden for economic issues even after his handling of COVID.
Makes me wonder if democracy is fundamentally flawed.
Democracy falls apart when the electorate is uneducated. That’s why Trump loves them, they uncritically believe anything he says. Democracy thrives when voters understand the issues and how government works, and are therefore able to make intelligent decisions.
Ding ding ding!
Basically every single philospher or political theorist or whoever, throughout all of history, makes a point of saying that Democracy requires a reasonably well informed and a reasonably educated population … as a necessary prerequisite.
Take that out at the knees, as the Republicans have been doing for 40 years, and its no wonder that Democracy seems like a dubious concept, when the average reading ability of the average US adult is that of a 6th grader.
Turns out 6th graders aren’t really that knowledgeable and can be easily lied to or tricked.
You can’t educate your way out of corruption or money in politics.
In theory informed and educated voters will choose not to elect exposed corrupt politicians.
In reality, politicians are influenced by money etc regardless of electorate education. Fptp and two party systems exacerbate it and entrench worse candidates.