Q: What Do You Regard As The Single Most Significant Flaw In The Way Our Modern Society Works?
A: We are confused about democracy. We all know it is better than the tyranny that inevitably grows from autocracy, because it is a very effective way to bloodlessly remove bad rulers before they become dangerous. However there is also a widespread belief that we can perfect our society by voting for the right politicians with the right policies. The politicians oblige and promise that they will solve all manner of problems in return for our votes. In reality no politician can actively solve anybody’s problems. They can create the conditions for people to solve their own problems, but usually that entails doing less, not more. We would be far better served by returning to our roots where democracy is a way to remove bad rulers, but all other problems are solved by individuals and the voluntary groups they form.
