Enemies of Democracy? ( Part 1)

 

The threat is two- fold, some believe three-fold.

The  biggest threat to democracy isn't just oppression by the State, but is coupled with the intolerance of our fellow citizens in a two- fold situation. The collaboration of these two elements that define and conform the swayed population  of a nation to the destruction of its own democracy by 'internal duacide.' 

That incisive philosopher, John Stuart Mill predicted that the main threat to democracy' survival was conformity  imposed by widespread public opinion.

Roger Scruton once wrote that 'the freedom to entertain and express  opinions, however offensive, ....is the pre- condition of a political society.'

 

An example of this however offensive opinion is the various Western Govts' suppression of dissenting views on the efficiency, relative need and veracity of Covid- 19 anti-virus vaccines. These opposing views were crushed not only by various governmental agencies, but also by the Tech giants and  by many legacy Media outlets working in concert or together. 

To enforce the prevailing view or narrative, the police forces of such nations were often coerced to operate, some posit, like the SS of the Nazis or the Stasi of East Germany to arrest and detain those who engaged in contradiction to the designated opinion or narrative. The crime- the will of the free individual(s) opposing the will of the 'locked in' society.

 

Even if the opposing views were publicly broadcast without apparent censorship, these outspoken dissenters were insulted, vilified and faced personal injury, even threats occasioning death. Some sentient dissenters were occasionally banned, had their venues revoked and hounded by threatening activists whose  erroneous views could not  establish any credence or validity in the face of reason and persuasive argument.

 

Even humourists were booed,publicly banned and dislodged from their perch unless their comedy was vetted by the authorities. When thoughtful satire and decent lampooning is banned, e.g., Babylon Bee, then that democratic society is dying a grueling death. It's said that to take oneself  too seriously so unable to laugh at oneself is the demise of relative sanity.

This essay continues tomorrow  on the Digital Anvil blog. 

Please return for the exciting conclusion of the Enemies of Democracy ( Part 2 ) tomorrow morning..

( Opinion by Digital Anvil)