Majority opinion is very closely linked to democracy. Switzeland, the only truly democratic nation, is an example to all other nations for its high level of tolerance and high standard of living. It is land locked and its main resource is its peaceful society and resourceful citizens. It has more than 5 political parties allowing most of the people`s opinions to be heard. The following below is an excerpt from "History of Switzerland and what we can learn from it." See YouTube video "History of Switzerland Simplified". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mT4deZiLjI
"One reason that Switzerland is such a peaceful country is that all interest groups are represented by political parties and all their voices are heard. From the rich and privileged with FDP to the poor and needy with the SPS. The CVP protects the Christian's way of life, while the GPS protects the environment. And the SVP protects Switzerland's culture, sovereignty; neutrality and its unique example to the rest of the world of the only real functioning direct democracy.
Another reason is the involvement of the church. Unlike in the other countries which have in their constitutions clauses separating the church from the state, Switzerland employs the church by giving it tax money to act like a welfare agency catching any homeless who fall thru the state`s social welfare net.
Perhaps the main reason for Switzerland`s success at keeping its peace as long as it has is its unique direct democracy. While other democratic countries are democracies only on voting day when citizens delegate their democratic rights for the next 4 or 5 years to politicians, the Swiss practice direct democracy and vote on any issues that come up with immediate plebiscites."
On Friday, January 25, 2013 8:43:17 AM UTC+1, archytas wrote:
If there is one concept on Earth that has been the absolute bane of--
human existence (besides global elitism), it would have to be the
concept of the "majority opinion". The moment men began refusing to
develop their own world views without first asking "What does everyone
else think?", they set themselves up for an endless future of
failures. We are, of course, very social beings, and our natures
drive us to seek those of like mind and spirit in what some might call
a "tribal imperative". However, this imperative to organize is often
manipulated by those who understand the psychological mechanisms
behind it. Oligarchs and tyrants abuse and exploit the inherent
social natures of the people in order to fool them into abandoning
their individuality for the sake of the group, or some abstract and
dishonest ideal. When successful, the organization of a culture
becomes bitter and twisted, changing from a tribe or a community of
sovereign individuals, into a nightmare collective of soulless sheep.
Human beings desperately want to belong, but, they also desperately
want to understand the environment around them. Often, the desire to
belong and the desire to know the truth conflict. In some societies,
in order to be accepted, one must give up on his search for truth and
avoid eliciting the anger of others. This causes a severe mental and
emotional disturbance within a population. In order to reconcile
their conflicting needs within a system that does not nurture their
quest for transparency, they tend to unconsciously cling to the
"majority view" as if their very existence depends on it. The idea of
the majority view or the "mainstream", gives people the sense that
they are a part of a group, and at the same time, gives them the
illusion of being informed.
The above from Zerohedge - is it right? What does it say about our
general ability to argue rationally? I agree with what is said here -
yet believe it suggests we need a radical alternative of education as
we have experienced it.
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