In the digital age, where ideas proliferate as swiftly as the clicks on our devices, a particular philosophy video by Academy of Ideas delves into the intricate fabric of modern democracy and its discontents. In a world quick to extol the virtues of democracy as the ultimate political system, this video serves as a critical examination of its potential pitfalls and the philosophical underpinnings that shape our understanding of governance and society.

Many Americans make the assumption that democracy is inherently less flawed than other forms of government. Drawing from a historical perspective, it becomes clear that irrespective of the system in place, unchecked human passions invariably lead to the same outcomes of fraud, violence, and cruelty. The focus here is not to decry the democratic form but to question its sanctity and the effectiveness of its practice in modern times.

This critique extends to the comparison between the dogmas of Christianity in the past and the current dogmatic belief in democracy. Just as Christianity once served to fortify the power of the Church, democracy, as practiced today, is argued to be a smokescreen for the self-serving political class. The democratic procedure of elections and political campaigns is but an illusion that conceals the true workings of power, where politicians and bureaucrats enrich themselves at the expense of societal well-being.

Free markets, division of labor, rule of law, and robust media are all foundational elements necessary for a society to thrive. Democracy, when preserving these institutions, can be conducive to social harmony. However, modern democracies are observed to be undermining these very pillars, giving rise to a pressing question: What are the flaws inherent in modern democracies that lead to such outcomes?

Academy of Ideas dissects the concept of democracy into direct and indirect forms. Direct democracy, with its majority rules principle, can often result in what is described as a "tyranny of the masses," where the majority can impose their will on the minority.

Focusing on indirect or representative democracy, where the populace votes for politicians who theoretically represent their interests, we quickly find the reality is starkly different from the ideal. The process of pre-selecting political candidates by a few dominant parties leads to a scenario where representation is more nominal than substantive, with politicians serving their interests or those of lobbyists and special interest groups.

A crucial flaw is the propensity for modern democracies to allow the ascent of the least desirable individuals to positions of power. The allure of power draws those with the most ruthless ambitions, and the political system, with its elections and bureaucratic promotions, appears to favor those with Machiavellian tendencies.

Soft totalitarianism, a subtler form of control where the distinction between rulers and the ruled blurs, is contrasted with the more overt totalitarian regimes of the past. Soft totalitarianism, as described by Alexis de Tocqueville, is a system where the state enervates societal will through a network of rules and regulations, leading to a populace that is docile and easily shepherded.

This intricate web of control is argued to have been spun through the gradual erosion of independent institutions and associations that historically acted as a check on governmental power. The state seeks to be the sole mediator of all social relations, with a consequential rise in its totalitarian potential.

If the system cannot prevent the worst from reaching the top, nor defend against an encroaching soft totalitarianism, then democracy, as it stands, must be critically reevaluated. Calls for political saviors are seen as a dangerous gamble, for as society awaits a redeemer, the state's power may grow unchecked, ultimately leading to societal decay.

In essence, Academy of Ideas' video does not merely offer a critique but serves as a clarion call for introspection and dialogue on the nature of political systems and the values they uphold. It beckons the audience to consider alternative forms of political organization and to actively engage in shaping the future of society.

Quotes:

"Democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and destroys itself." - John Adams

"A man is nonetheless a slave because he is allowed to choose a new master once in a term of years." - Lysander Spooner

"It does not break wills, but it softens them, bends them and directs them." - Alexis de Tocqueville, on soft totalitarianism

"All governments suffer a recurring problem: Power attracts pathological personalities. It is not that power corrupts, but that it is magnetic to the corruptible." - Frank Herbert

"The selection of state rulers by means of popular elections makes it essentially impossible for harmless or decent persons to ever rise to the top." - Hans Hermann Hoppe

"If all social order becomes dependent on the administrative state, when that becomes terminally corrupt and nonfunctional, everything goes." - James Kalb