This House Would Rather Dictatorship than Democracy | Emergency Debate | The Cambridge Union

Date recorded: 03/03/2011
Emergency Debate: This House Would Rather a Strong Dictatorship than a Weak Democracy, The Cambridge Union Society
Proposition:
Fadyazi Makere
Student at Magdalene College.
Joseph Sanderson
Student at Jesus College.
Opposition:
Mike Black
Student at Magdalene College.
Gerard Tully
Student at Trinity Hall College.
The 'Noes' have it.

[@dictatorshipoverdemocracy]

I wish this topic was given more time (and seriousness, although I enjoyed the light-hearted discussion).
1. Dictatorship and democracy are not mutually exclusive (I used to think they were as you can see by my account name). Democracy is a leadership succession process and Dictatorship is a style of governance. You can absolutely have people vote for an authoritarian leader (e.g., the witan).
2. Democracy has nothing to do with human rights and all the other warm and fuzzy concepts that people usually attach to it. It's just a method for the average man to choose his leaders (or at least attempt to).
3. Dictatorship is high risk high reward. It suffers more under the influence of significant corruption, but it also flourishes more in the absence of significant corruption. Democracy is low risk low reward. Corrupt leaders can be voted out every 5 years or so (though often they are re-elected), which greatly limits the damage they can do; however, great leaders have no more than 5-10 years to make improvements, then someone else has to have a go.
4. Regardless of either system, the leader is a government employee. Therefore, their employment contract should include certain minimum requirements (e.g. GDP must grow by at least x% each year that you are in office, crime should decrease by at least y% every year etc.). That way, whether they are corrupt or not, the people have a higher chance of prospering. If they are grossly negligent or too corrupt, their contract should require their torture and execution if convicted in court.

[@seanliburd357]

Democracy is a really good idea. But if it actually worked. I wouldn’t have made a comment.💯

[@ciciciaphascain4143]

I don’t understand can you explain?

[@seanliburd357]

@@ciciciaphascain4143 here’s my explanation, you’re stupid 👼🏽💯

[@arrowstheorem1881]

In a strong Dictatorship, there is unlikely such debate allowed

[@EuropeanQoheleth]

Sounds like Legend of the Galactic Heroes in real life.

[@fayiz5741]

you are right

[@pennryan970]

If you don’t hear everyone’s voice you lose so much potential economic innovation

[@pennryan970]

Prevented their worst excesses? This was pre-Snowden clearly….

[@pennryan970]

Rwanda and Singapore were strong examples : )

[@90fitzgerald09]

guess who

[@pennryan970]

We have to preserve basic human rights and representation, there’s no price you can sell your humanity at

[@kartik.b9706]

nice debate tho :)

[@90fitzgerald09]

sassy

[@marka9261]

Sassy who?
Never heard about her

[@generalskunk6876]

Bias