Posted on 10/02/2015 12:44:54 PM PDT by Lorianne
The constitution of the Roman Republic was designed as a corrective to democracy. Specifically, it was hoping to protect against the excesses of Athenian-style direct democracy. About twice a month in Athens, citizens voted into law almost anything they wished. About six to seven thousand citizens would squeeze into a hillside amphitheater known as the Pnyx and were swayed by demagogues (“people leaders”) into voting for or against whatever the cause de jour was. Our term “democracy” comes from the Greek dêmos-kratos, which means “people-power.”
In furor at a rebellion, for example, Athenians once voted to kill all of the adult male subjects of the island of Lesbos—only to repent the next day and vote again to execute just some, hoping that their second messenger ship rowed fast enough across the Aegean to catch the first bearing the original death sentence. In a fit of pique, the popular court voted to execute the philosopher Socrates, fine the statesman Pericles, and ostracize the general Aristides. Being successful, popular, rich, or controversial always proved to be a career liability in a democracy like the one that ruled Athens.
The Romans knew enough about mercurial ancient Athens to appreciate that they did not want a radical democracy. Instead, they sought to take away absolute power from the people and redistribute it within a “mixed” government. In Rome, power was divided constitutionally between executives (two consuls), legislators (the Senate and assemblies), and judges (Roman magistrates).
(Excerpt) Read more at hoover.org ...
Separation of powers.
Nowadays, we call these people "Community Organizers".
Then we elect such a demagogue as President.
<>Separation of powers.<>
Works every time.
Article V while we can.
These days the “mot” can be a mob of 5 justices.
While we can still get a result worthy of Greek Democracy. :)
?
“Separation of powers.” “Works every time.’
Yep. First Rome and now us. Works every time. I’ll have two of whatever you have been drinking.
I hope the Article V’ers are planning to rescind the popular election of senators, & put that back as a state appointment.
Meaning idiotic and nonsensical results.
I know the argument of most people who advocate for an Article V convention is that the system doesn't work that way, at worst it will produce no results at all, but I have confidence that idiocy can often find a quorum and the votes sufficient to enact it.
I point out that most constitutional amendments since the first 10 were disasters.
States will not send reps with plenary power, but rather delegates with specific commissions.
If you equate an Article V convention with congress, I believe you are mistaken.
We don’t need a new constitution. We need a government that abides by the current one.
Yep.
And most of Congress!
I LOVE Victor, because he is SO HONEST.
But even so, iCarly is SO YESTERDAY. She’s now TOAST as a Republican contender and now it’s Carson, or maybe Rubio (Bush will figure out that his effort is over, some time in 2019).
The BOTTOM LINE is that this election is MUCH MORE IMPORTANT than those of the past, where we could fantasize with having a black (however underqualified), having a woman (however man-hating), or having a Hispanic (however pandering).
Nope, TIME IS UP for our side - we need to RESET this country, and if it takes Trump to do so, SO BE IT.
Of course the Republican Party could have helped us out, but all they saw was BIG PAYDAYS at the end of the road, so they got in bed with the Dems. Oh well, their loss.
Arguably, the antics of Gaius Julius Caesar in 49 B.C. marked the end of the true Roman Republic. If I recall Gibbons correctly.
However my comments were not meant to advocate for a change in the form of government we now have in place. In my opinion, regardless of how well designed the machine may be and the durability of the materials it is made from, longevity is better assured by a competent operator engaging in and limiting it's employment to tasks for which it was built and maintained by educated and concerned support staff. A cursory glance about would reveal incompetents and charlatans are in abundance applying it to uses far beyond it's intended purposes as well as the ignorant and uncaring ignoring the misapplications. Good luck with that intended overhaul of the machine.
Wise as they were, what the Founders put in place bore the seeds of it's own destruction. Instead of avoiding the third-rails of politics in their time they should have addressed and resolved them in total. Haste makes waste and kicking those cans further down the road hoping lesser men would resolve those issues was a failure on their part. Had they done so our burdens would have been much lighter.
I'll look into the work you cited in due time. I thank you for it.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.