End of Democracy?

Written by Frank Li

No, not yet! But democracy, as we know it today, will end in the coming decades, for sure!

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Three main reasons:

1. Democracy is a proven failure throughout human history, without a single example of lasting success.
2. For the past one hundred years at least, western [liberal] democracy has been mostly a falsehood built on top of capitalism, colonialism, and imperialism.
3. For most of the world, there is now a real and powerful alternative to democracy: state capitalism, exemplified by China.

1. What is democracy?

Simply put, democracy is one person, one vote, without discrimination (e.g. gender, race, or religion).

2. Democracy: the past

Let me highlight it from three perspectives:

1. Athenian democracy.
2. America and democracy.
3. Civilizations.

2.1 Athenian democracy

Democracy was first experimented in Ancient Greece some 2,500 years ago (Athenian democracy). It failed for one main reason, as shown below.

Below is my explanation in modern terms.

2.2 America and democracy

America was built as a republic, specifically excluding democracy! Two facts:

1. The word “democracy” never appeared in the U.S. Constitution.
2. The phrase “We the People” in the U.S. Constitution referred to only some white property-owners, at least in terms of voting.

One key reason: our Founding Fathers did not believe in democracy. Below is one example.

Unfortunately for America, she morphed herself into a democracy over time, becoming a full democracy in 1965 (the Voting Rights Act of 1965). For more, read: What Is American Democracy, Anyway?

2.3 Civilizations

For a thorough discussion, read: Civilizations: Past, Present, and Future. Here, let’s just focus on two civilizations: Chinese vs. western.

China is arguably the greatest country in human history. Two facts:

1. China has the longest continuous civilization in human history.
2. Throughout human history, great civilizations have come and gone, with one major exception: China – come, almost gone, and come again!

Western civilization was largely shaped by the Romans.

The image below highlights the key difference between the Roman Empire and the Chinese Empire, which is the key reason why Rome was long gone while China has long endured.

The fortune of the West, especially when compared with China, came mostly after 1492, when Christopher Columbus discovered the “new” world. With guns in one hand and the Bible in the other, the West Europeanized not only the “new” world, but also the “uncivilized”, or “under-civilized”, parts of the old world (e.g. Egypt and India), often under the ruse of spreading Christian civilization. Yes, the West also invaded China in the 1800s, nearly destroying the longest continuous civilization in human history!

It is arguable whether Europeanization of the world was a true form of civilization (vs. barbarianism, especially the part on slavery). But let’s settle it as the most extreme form of civilization.

What must not be settled on is the idiotic simplicity and falsehood that democracy is a, if not the only, valid form of government!

It’s idiotic, because democracy is a tried but failed doctrine throughout human history, without a single example of lasting success.

It’s a falsehood, because modern [liberal] democracy is actually built on top of capitalism, colonialism, and imperialism. In other words, without capitalism, colonialism, and imperialism, democracy has failed everywhere, without exception!

3. Democracy: the present

Democracy is deeply in trouble all over the world! Six examples:

1. America: War is perpetual, thanks to Democratic Imperialism, and work is optional for many Americans, thanks to Democratic Socialism. For more, read my last book: American Democracy – Why is it failing & how to fix it?
2. Western Europe: The rise of populism (like Trumpism in America), which blames everybody else for its own problems.
3. Russia: It suffered two major blows: first communism and then democracy., resulting in total chaos. Fortunately for Russia, President Putin has restored some order, while continuously trying to make Russia great again.
4. Eastern Europe: Like Russia, several countries (e.g. Poland and Hungary) seem to have finally got it: democracy does not work! These countries benefited nothing from Europeanization of the world, but are now asked to share the disaster, especially the refugees.
5. Turkey: President Erdogan seems to have got it. He has practically backed Turkey out of democracy per se, so as to try to make Turkey great again – Can you spell Ottoman Empire?
6. Mideast: What a disaster, largely caused by America, as a result of our idiotic practice of “spreading democracy” and regime change!

Why so much trouble for democracy? The comeback of China, an autocracy, instead of democracy!

China’s astronomical rise over the past four decades has not only skyrocketed her economy to #1 in the world in terms of PPP (purchasing power parity), but also offered the rest of the world a more relevant model to follow: state capitalism, without colonialism and imperialism!

For more, read: Democracy: to be or not to be?

4. Democracy: the future

It’s over, mostly!

America holds the key …

Fortunately for America, I believe I have the most accurate diagnosis for America, as well as the best solution. Better yet, both have been well documented in my latest book: American Democracy – Why is it failing & how to fix it? Please read and judge for yourself!

Unfortunately for America, it has proven to be totally inept at adapting – No big and positive change, from term limits to gun control, is ever possible, unless there is a civil war (America: Guns vs. Slavery). But before that comes to pass, America is more likely to destroy the world with WW III. For more, read: Civilizations: Past, Present, and Future.

In other words, America has been solving many problems by throwing money at them, thanks to the greatness throughout our first 200 years. When there is no money left, we need brains – America has no brain in governance, especially when compared with China! Two informative readings:

1. Governance in China: Past, Present, and Future. China has spent more than 2,000 years on governance! Maybe older is indeed wiser in this case?
2. Governance in America. There is none!

5. Discussion

In theory, democracy is very appealing: you have the power to choose your own leaders, who govern the country for you.

In practice, however, most major democracies are oligarchies, with American democracy being most prominent. For more, read: Has America Become an Oligarchy?

Worse yet for America, government is often viewed as the enemy. Americans were willing to try something, anything, different – Can anybody possibly be more different than Donald Trump?

Worse still, as compared with China, America is obviously more monarchical, as highlighted by the image below.

In contrast, there is no extreme nepotism like this, nor even remotely possible, in China!

Worst of all, democracy looks more and more like communism! Below are eight similarities between them.

1. Destruction of capitalism
2. Brainwashing
3. Ideology
4. Kleptocracy
5. ‘You Didn’t Build That’
6. Stupidity
7. Patriotism
8. Utopia.

The image below is worth more than 1,000 words.

For more discussion, please read:

1. Towards an Ideal Form of Government (Version 3).
2. China vs. America: Uniformity vs. Diversity.
3. Understanding Modern China, Quickly!

6. Closing

In his famous 1989 article (The End of History?), Francis Fukuyama raised the possibility that liberal democracy could be the end of history.

What a joke (Democracy – ‘End of History’, Really?)!

Democracy, as we know it today, is a falsehood built on top of capitalism, colonialism, and imperialism. It’s not a valid form of government in peace, without extreme violence like colonialism and imperialism! It is for this reason that democracy, when in competition with state capitalism, is failing in America as well as everywhere else!

Now, please sit back and enjoy the short video below.