To think that democracy isn't necessarily the best form of government?

[Thebestwaytoscareatory]

For example, I'm interested in politics and governance and have spent time learning about the topic, yet my vote counts exactly as much as someone who thinks all brown people are rapists or that all women are nothing more than broodmares.

This doesn't sit right with me. Surely we should acknowledge that some opinions are not as valid as others and take steps to ensure that the lowest common denominator isn't represented equally at elections?

@SerendipityJane Not understanding issues, and possible problems with a pretty unalterable decision (Brexit) is a big issue and is certainly one we need to guard against. Of course it’s bad if few understand the issues but can vote directly for a policy that affects everyone. If it’s one of 20 policies in a manifesto, it’s less of an issue.

Incidentally it may be a stopped clock moment, but just a record that - on the face of it - I can't find much to disagree with in Suella Bravermans latest polemic about police political posturing - even though I can't put into words how much I detest her and her cruel inhuman and murderous policies.

I'm losing track of the content of the threads I am currently reading, so please, ignore this if it's the wrong thread.

On democracy and the "best" versions of government, Singapore is an interesting mini state to consider. Lee Kwan Yu is (AFAIK) the only benevolent dictator to have created the conditions for a prosperous democratic city state, with a 21st century infrastructure, and a really good education system.

However, it is a really good system because it is unashamedly elitist. There are no remunerative options for Tim Nice but Dim.

@EffortlessDesmond So presumably a lot of stress for them! Sounds unpleasant to me. Everyone can find a role here regardless of characteristic or parental wealth.

@SerendipityJane

inews.co.uk/news/world/ashamed-brexit-voter-holidays-affected-2581261

+++++

Actually in defence of this Brexit voter at least he recognises and admits that his vote has adversely affected him and he regrets his decision.

Many others in his position would simply blame it on the wrong type of Brexit.

I think that's a bit of a harsh judgement @TizerorFizz . There's actually strong social provision in Singapore, but it's only a small place. That it's so Chinese ethnically and has a fairly entrepreneurial culture is visible in the constant change. I don't know it well, but a cousin is married into a Singapore family and loves it.

My friend at University was from Singapore. She was also Gay, and had a different view on living there. This was 20 years ago, so maybe it's different now. So maybe great for some but not do great if you don't conform to the norm.

That's a reasonable objection @Angrycat2768 . To the best of my knowledge, no one I have met in Singapore is gay so I don't have that insight. It's not usually the first thing that I have to evaluate on going to a new town. There were no visibly homeless addicts, as in San Francisco, though.

There were no visibly homeless addicts, as in San Francisco, though.

The huge homeless encampments in SF are so sad and depressing. Grim for everyone, those that are living in them, those who have to try to run businesses in the vicinity, those who have been attacked.
What will happen? Will they just get bigger and bigger with no state intervention while anyone who can moves away?

The problem with comparing Singapore with the uk is size. It has 5.6m population and is only 270 square miles. It’s tiny. It has a highly developed economy and is a representative democracy.

It's a representative democracy now, but its early years - after seceding from Malaysia - were dominated by Lee Kuan Yew... who was pretty close to benevolent dictator.

It’s still nothing like the uk.

It seems Lee Kwan Yu was highly motivated to escape the colonial rule of the British and the Englishman's 'assumptions of superiority', and not to be pushed around by Japan either. The whole island must have had really powerful motivations to make it as self governing. They had to unite a multi ethnic/multi cultural society as well Although it could be called elitist, the meritocracy of society is closely entwined with preserving collective identity in a multi ethnic society. With a diversity of ethnicity, languages, religion and culture, it's probably important to insist that success is based on merit rather than ethnic identities. Otherwise their society would be divided. I don't know how Singaporeans feel about Lee Kwan Yu's rule, but he seemed to do a good job of uniting disparate groups and freeing Singapore from colonialism.