What is a properly functioning democracy?

This question arose in another thread and I thought it deserved its own.

 

An educated electorate, freedom of speech, opportunity for anyone to run for office regardless of wealth or connections, universal suffrage, one-person-one-vote.

 

I would be very selective there, though. I think there has to be some kind of safeguard to keep all the douche bags out of politics.

 

And there you have it - an impossibility.

 

That was in response to sunfighter. Just missed my window

 

Agreed. Especially if there is public campaign financing, there must be some reasonable way of qualifying candidates. For instance, we must weed out anyone whose penis photos end up on the internet.

 

On the other hand, I sometimes think that way back in the beginning of civilization, leaders were chosen for their penis size.

 

yeah but it's counter-intuitive.
The larger the male member = the less blood flow to the brain = a stupid leader.
It's simple math, I'm sure there's an algebraic equation proving it somewhere.

 

Yes, but they were only stupid when they had erections.

 

A properly functioning, true democracy is mob rule and must be avoided at all costs.

 

Is that true even if you have an educated electorate?

 

What if there would be no public financing of campaigns at all and everybody would get the same amount of air time/media attention/room and place for advertising? Better or worse?

 

Educated is not the same as intelligent, nor does it go hand in hand with critical thinking skills. So, yes, it is true.

What constitutes education?

 

In a way yes, because when the majority gets its way all the time there will be much agitation amongst minorities, which could be a 'minority' of 49% for example. When the issues are serious enough the shit will hit the fan. So the literal sense of a true democracy would make for lots of unsatisfied civilians sooner or later.

 

I think that's a good idea, but it is still a form of public financing.

 

Don't most leaders have a hard-on for something or someone almost perpetually.
Mental or ideological priapism.
I think that is what drives them into the political arena.
Need to flail that monster around for all the world too see.

 

I don't think you can bring intelligence into the discussion, because in any society, half the people have below-average intelligence.

 

That can also happen in a representative democracy. Right now, in my home state, Republicans are in power and acting as if the only acceptable role of a Democrat is to suffer.

The Nazi Party in Germany came to power through free elections, but never received more than 49% of the popular vote.

I don't think there is any formula for democracy that guarantees a good result in every situation. It's just better than the alternatives.

 

Bill Clinton was a great leader. Seriously.

 

But then how do you measure "educated"?