Posted on 10/03/2002 7:32:13 PM PDT by Tancred
At least 90% of Argentines have no confidence in either their government or their democratic institutions, according to a survey.
The poll shows the vast majority of the country believes democracy has failed them.
The results are so startling that the organization which conducted the survey, Latinobarometro, has subtitled it "The Argentine Consensus".
However you look at this survey, it is impossible to escape the sense of disillusionment that Argentines feel towards not just their government but to every institution that makes up their democracy.
'Extraordinary'
Eighty-eight per cent of the population has no confidence in the people running the country. There is 95% dissatisfaction with political parties and over 90% dissatisfaction with everything from National Congress to the judicial system, banks and even the markets.
According to Marta Lagos of the Mori polling organisation, even for a country experiencing a crisis like Argentina's, the figures are startling.
"This is something absolutely extraordinary in an opinion poll which I have not seen in my professional life and which means, in my interpretation, there are no institutions in Argentina," she said.
"These institutions have been blown out of people's credibility and therefore they're not being considered."
'Best alternative'
Yet despite the complete lack of confidence in the way the system has been working so far, 65% of Argentines still believe that democracy is the best alternative.
And for Marta Lagos, the survey is the clearest sign yet that the country may still be able to turn the worst economic crisis in its history into an historic opportunity.
"This type of consensus is clearly going to bring up something, and therefore one should interpret it as a strong indicator of a positive demand towards a proper system."
But she goes even further, suggesting that it might well mean a period of even greater political upheaval for Argentina while its politicians bend beneath the undeniable current of embittered public opinion.
Its not like your Court system arbitrarily makes new law nullifying your elected reps...
...Yet despite the complete lack of confidence in the way the system has been working so far, 65% of Argentines still believe that democracy is the best alternative.
What the hell does this story mean, then?
Well, you can't blame them for criticizing the institutions that have put them in this fix. But the above I've read before: "Democracy is the worst form of government known to man...except for all the others." They'll work it out.
Too late, both in terms of pragmatism and rhetoric; Argentina, unfortunately, for those who know nothing about its past limitations and parameters, took the road suggested, by us, no less.
We are both paying heavy dividends now, and will continue to do so.
The primary distinction between a republic and a democracy is found in the assignment and function of authority. In a democracy, the power belongs directly to the populace, and authority is derived from mass assemblies. Important issues of law and policy are decided by the direct vote of the population. Political and legislative control belongs to those citizens who make up the plurality on any given issue and, quite literally, the majority rules.
In a republic, the population elects representatives to pass laws and do the business of the government. Authority is derived indirectly through representation. Most importantly, justice is administered and legislation is constructed according to fixed principles and the rule of law. Simply put, laws govern, not men.
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