The Adventures of Jonathan Gullible - Bastiat Institute

Government of
the people, by the
people, for the
people, usually ends
up as government
of the people, by the
government, for the
government.
Richard Needham
1977
Government is not
reason; it is not
eloquence; it is
force. Like fi re, it is
a dangerous servant
and a fearful master.
George Washington
Chapter 38 • The Democracy Gang
Brainstorming
• Is it okay for one person to take from another
person by force?
• Is it better to use persuasion or force to solve
social problems?
• Is it okay for majorities to take property, or
life, or freedom, from minorities by force?
• What may majorities do that individuals are
not allowed to do?
• How can politics lead to riots?
• Examples?
• What are the ethical issues involved?
Commentary
Freedom and democracy are not the same.
Democracy has come to mean the rule of leaders
who are favoured by a majority of the citizens.
In other words, it is the majority leader who
rules all, even over those who did not vote for
him. In a country where people are disenchanted
with an electoral system that is dominated by
an infl uential elite, voter participation may fall
dramatically and a very small number of people
may select the rulers for everyone.
Even countries that are ruled by dictatorships
usually claim to be “democratic” if they go
through the motions of a sham election where
opposition is not allowed. A country is said to
be democratic if it has had an election. However,
an election does not give freedom to individuals.
Individual freedom occurs when people have
a right to make their own choices, even when
99% disagree. As soon as a voter casts his vote,
power is shifted to rulers who presume to be
“superior”human beings.
Once in power, the removal of the elected
“gang” from offi ce is extremely diffi cult as they
establish the rules for the next election to favour
themselves.
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