Can democracy give us freedom?
"Democracy, to the extent that it operates according to the principle of majority rule, must result in tyranny, because that's what most people want. Libertarians often say that most people want freedom, but my observations and study of history do not accord with this claim.
Most people want freedom for themselves, but not for others. They want personal freedom but favor government suppression of the freedoms of people they dislike or fear for whatever reason. For most people tribalism, however understood by the members of a tribe, trumps living in a free society.
Arguing that free societies are more prosperous or otherwise successful will not persuade most people. They are prepared to wreak death and destruction on their perceived enemies, foreign and domestic, even at considerable economic sacrifice."
- Robert Higgs
"Democracy, to the extent that it operates according to the principle of majority rule, must result in tyranny, because that's what most people want. Libertarians often say that most people want freedom, but my observations and study of history do not accord with this claim.
Most people want freedom for themselves, but not for others. They want personal freedom but favor government suppression of the freedoms of people they dislike or fear for whatever reason. For most people tribalism, however understood by the members of a tribe, trumps living in a free society.
Arguing that free societies are more prosperous or otherwise successful will not persuade most people. They are prepared to wreak death and destruction on their perceived enemies, foreign and domestic, even at considerable economic sacrifice."
- Robert Higgs
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