[OT] Another heated discussion about the Iraq siutation, war and politics. - Page 104

tesco samoa · #**1031** April 18th, 2003, 07:22 PM

Interesting side bit...

6 nations is the 2nd oldest democracy on the planet.

First would be Iceland.

And I believe England would be up there as well with the Habeas Corpus Act ( 1679)

There is a place in or near india ummm Mal something that has a very old democracy as well.

Oldest European Democracy... Poland

Fyron · #**1032** April 18th, 2003, 07:51 PM

The Iroquis are hardly a surviving nation.

I don't know about Iceland, but if it has been a democracy for a long time, it would be another example of the stability of democracy...

England doesn't really count as a democracy for most of its history because its parliament was made up of the nobility, with no general elections.

Master Belisarius · #**1033** April 18th, 2003, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tesco samoa:
Interesting side bit...

6 nations is the 2nd oldest democracy on the planet.

First would be Iceland.

And I believe England would be up there as well with the Habeas Corpus Act ( 1679)

There is a place in or near india ummm Mal something that has a very old democracy as well.

Oldest European Democracy... Poland

Some hours ago, I sent a mail to Fyron talking about this matter!

Fyron · #**1034** April 18th, 2003, 08:16 PM

Ok... if it is not technically the oldest, the US government is old in comparison to other current governments around the world. It has been around for centuries, and has never once collapsed (after the articles of federation were done with, of course). The US Civil War doesn't count for this, cause the Federal government kept going strong when the southern states seceeded from the union. And, there was a presidential election during the middle of the US Civil War, which goes to show that the democratic ideals where not squelched in time of danger. That would be another sign of stability.

[ April 18, 2003, 19:20: Message edited by: Imperator Fyron ]

Master Belisarius · #**1035** April 18th, 2003, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Imperator Fyron:
Ok... if it is not technically the oldest, the US government is old in comparison to other current governments around the world. It has been around for centuries, and has never once collapsed (after the articles of federation were done with, of course). The US Civil War doesn't count for this, cause the Federal government kept going strong when the southern states seceeded from the union. And, there was a presidential election during the middle of the US Civil War, which goes to show that the democratic ideals where not squelched in time of danger. That would be another sign of stability.

I think your point about democracy and stability is valid, and USA is a good example.
For this reason I sent a mail!

DavidG · #**1036** April 18th, 2003, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tesco samoa:
Oldest European Democracy... Poland

Huh Poland?? Does that 'brief' period during the cold war were they didn't have elections for 6o years not count?

BTW who knew my 'stable democracy' comment would send this OT thread on another tangent.

tesco samoa · #**1037** April 18th, 2003, 09:03 PM

bah that post was not to put down America's Democracy or its long standing tradition. I agree with Fyrons Post 100 %

It was a tid bit of information I though you guys and gals would like.

Read it for what it is not what you want to make it.

Fyron · #**1038** April 18th, 2003, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DavidG:

quote:
Originally posted by tesco samoa:
Oldest European Democracy... Poland

Huh Poland?? Does that 'brief' period during the cold war were they didn't have elections for 6o years not count?

BTW who knew my 'stable democracy' comment would send this OT thread on another tangent.

Better than the continuous stream of BS propaganda that it was before...

MegaTrain · #**1039** April 18th, 2003, 10:02 PM

Wow, people agreeing in THIS thread?? Amazing.

rextorres · #**1040** April 18th, 2003, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Imperator Fyron:

quote:
Originally posted by DavidG:

quote:
Originally posted by tesco samoa:
Oldest European Democracy... Poland

Huh Poland?? Does that 'brief' period during the cold war were they didn't have elections for 6o years not count?

BTW who knew my 'stable democracy' comment would send this OT thread on another tangent.
Better than the continuous stream of BS propaganda that it was before...

When someone doesn't agree with me I think it's propaganda too.

Anyway reading all this talk of Democracy in America makes me think of an 8th grade civics class. It's arguable for instance that the Civil War was really a failure of Democracy.

America is really a Plutocracy - if you were to look at the bank accounts of Bush's cabinet or most of the members of congress it would be self-evident. Also Their are plenty of examples of successful long lived states that were not Democracies. One thing they all do have in common is a strong legal system. I can give numerous examples.