"You are from which country !!?"

machadinha · Jul 12th, 2009, 10:48

pff, Haven't we been here many times before?

But give me one historical example of the words "benevolent" and "dictatorship" going smoothly together. (Or then on second thought, maybe don't bother, and it doesn't seem to be what this thread was about at all, would you say? Rather a light-hearted whimsical affair so far you'd think.)

It's all so easy to say though; when's the last time you found yourself seriously oppressed, and at not the right side of the fence for whatever reason? Please. For those who feel some more discipline would be in order, there are S&M clubs these days and such.

Nick-H · Jul 12th, 2009, 11:31

India does not at all lack political resolve; it has oodles and oodles of it. It has political resolve overflowing out of its eyeballs --- all directed towards the power and advancement of the politician.

At least democracy has a chance of putting some checks into the system

Paleface · Jul 12th, 2009, 12:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

At least democracy has a chance of putting some checks into the system

and Balances in the bank...

machadinha · Jul 12th, 2009, 12:56

Yes, and then dictators don't keep bank accounts as we all know.

Nick-H · Jul 12th, 2009, 15:51

They don't need to: they have the whole bank

Singlemalt · Jul 12th, 2009, 20:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by machadinha

But give me one historical example of the words "benevolent" and "dictatorship" going smoothly together. (Or then on second thought, maybe don't bother, and it doesn't seem to be what this thread was about at all, would you say? Rather a light-hearted whimsical affair so far you'd think.)

It's all so easy to say though; when's the last time you found yourself seriously oppressed, and at not the right side of the fence for whatever reason? Please. For those who feel some more discipline would be in order, there are S&M clubs these days and such.

Machadinha: There have been several such historical instances, in India itself - mostly during the monarchies of a few centuries back. Akbar, and periods of the Chera, Chola and Pandya rule in the South.

Your argument of 'You are not seriously oppressed.. so democracy is not all that bad' or conversely 'If it is not a democracy, you would be seriously oppressed' really does democracy a true disservice. I yearn for a better and more successful form of democracy. Not too much to ask, wouldnt you agree?

I do agree this was not the right discussion in this thread. Apologies for getting away and hijacking this thread.

Singlemalt · Jul 12th, 2009, 20:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

At least democracy has a chance of putting some checks into the system

In India, the only punishment for a corrupt politician is to banish him from power for a term or two. I have not read of a politician who was impeached, convicted or imprisoned.. And we all know India has had more than its share of corrupt politicians. These `checks in the system` exist only on paper.

Paleface · Jul 12th, 2009, 22:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Singlemalt

These `checks in the system` exist only on paper.

Yes, Hawala chits...

machadinha · Jul 13th, 2009, 05:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Singlemalt

There have been several such historical instances, in India itself - mostly during the monarchies of a few centuries back. Akbar, and periods of the Chera, Chola and Pandya rule in the South.

Right, bring back feudalism any day. Make me a poor peasant in it, preferably female and of an undesirable ethnic or social class.

I hear the Middle Ages were pretty good where I live, too.

(Seriously though, such rulers may have been "enlightened" within their circumstances. To hark back to some mythical pastoral past is quite another thing however.)

Singlemalt · Jul 13th, 2009, 06:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by machadinha

Right, bring back feudalism any day. Make me a poor peasant in it, preferably female and of an undesirable ethnic or social class.

I hear the Middle Ages were pretty good where I live, too.

(Seriously though, such rulers may have been "enlightened" within their circumstances. To hark back to some mythical pastoral past is quite another thing however.)

Right.. Lets just ignore that feudalism and dictatorships have a lot of parallels. You asked for one historical proof.. and I gave you more than one.. But no.. Its not history but 'mythical pastoral past' if the events did not occur within the recent past? Never mind.. we cant see each others' point of view.. lets leave it at that.

atala · Jul 13th, 2009, 15:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by machadinha

But give me one historical example of the words "benevolent" and "dictatorship" going smoothly together.

One present-day example would be Bhutan.

In Indian folklore the myth of Bharata and Ram would fit the bill, if one forgets how their reign came about. In the varnashram ideal the king can only thrive if everyone is happy in his kingdom. The basis of that is that a state is small enough that all the citizens' welfare can be respected. In ancient Greece the number of people in a polis was not to exceed 10'000.

There are repeated instances in history where benevolent aristocrats ruled with what could be termed benevolent dictatorship, but only in small polises (spelling?). Where a polis becomes too large, the complexities increase.

hvnly · Jul 21st, 2009, 15:27

i live in a small tourist town in the us (fh washington) near canada, i love seeing where people are from. for some reason, we get a lot of Indians here....

sdsudarsan · Oct 10th, 2009, 00:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Singlemalt

In India, the only punishment for a corrupt politician is to banish him from power for a term or two. I have not read of a politician who was impeached, convicted or imprisoned.. And we all know India has had more than its share of corrupt politicians. These `checks in the system` exist only on paper.

This is more optimistic.... More often, shift from state to central post, central to state, minister to governer, etc. if the politician has enough link with the owners of the party

Jul 12th, 2009, 10:48	#136
machadinha brother my cup is empty member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 14,394	pff, Haven't we been here many times before? But give me one historical example of the words "benevolent" and "dictatorship" going smoothly together. (Or then on second thought, maybe don't bother, and it doesn't seem to be what this thread was about at all, would you say? Rather a light-hearted whimsical affair so far you'd think.) It's all so easy to say though; when's the last time you found yourself seriously oppressed, and at not the right side of the fence for whatever reason? Please. For those who feel some more discipline would be in order, there are S&M clubs these days and such. __________________ Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links

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Jul 12th, 2009, 11:31	#137
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,225	India does not at all lack political resolve; it has oodles and oodles of it. It has political resolve overflowing out of its eyeballs --- all directed towards the power and advancement of the politician. At least democracy has a chance of putting some checks into the system

Jul 12th, 2009, 12:56	#139
machadinha brother my cup is empty member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 14,394	Yes, and then dictators don't keep bank accounts as we all know.

Jul 12th, 2009, 15:51	#140
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,225	They don't need to: they have the whole bank

Jul 21st, 2009, 15:27	#147
hvnly Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Washington State Posts: 5	i live in a small tourist town in the us (fh washington) near canada, i love seeing where people are from. for some reason, we get a lot of Indians here....