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Germany's Pirate Party Looks to Win More Seats

bbc.co.uk

1–10 of 64 posts

Re: Germany's Pirate Party Looks to Win More Seats

#3
"The reason for their quick growth is that they are new and that's enough at the moment. But not in the long run." Gero Neugebauer Political scientist, Free University Berlin

So what? To paraphrase Keynes, in the long run we are all dead.

I really dislike such dismissal without some sort of context such as whether a short term gain might or might not have any effect and why. But then again the journalist only wanted a contrary quote for 'balance'.

Re: Germany's Pirate Party Looks to Win More Seats

#4

"The reason for their quick growth is that they are new and that's enough at the moment. But not in the long run." Gero Neugebauer Political scientist, Free University Berlin So what? To paraphrase Keynes, in the long run we are all dead. I really dislike such dismissal without some sort of context such as whether a short term gain might or might not have any effect and why. But then again the journalist only wanted…

The fun thing is that “they are new” now lasts for almost 6 years. How long will we have to wait for the “long run” now, considering that exactly the same thing was said 6 years ago? :-)

Re: Germany's Pirate Party Looks to Win More Seats

#5
post #4

"The reason for their quick growth is that they are new and that's enough at the moment. But not in the long run." Gero Neugebauer Political scientist, Free University Berlin So what? To paraphrase Keynes, in the long run we are all dead. I really dislike such dismissal without some sort of context such as whether a short term gain might or might not have any effect and why. But then again the journalist only wanted…

The fun thing is that “they are new” now lasts for almost 6 years. How long will we have to wait for the “long run” now, considering that exactly the same thing was said 6 years ago? :-)

Indeed. I also expect they will have the usual turbulence of a new political movement. Infighting, policy changes, etc and that all of that will be used to again dismiss the larger reason for their existence.

Re: Germany's Pirate Party Looks to Win More Seats

#6
post #4

"The reason for their quick growth is that they are new and that's enough at the moment. But not in the long run." Gero Neugebauer Political scientist, Free University Berlin So what? To paraphrase Keynes, in the long run we are all dead. I really dislike such dismissal without some sort of context such as whether a short term gain might or might not have any effect and why. But then again the journalist only wanted…

The fun thing is that “they are new” now lasts for almost 6 years. How long will we have to wait for the “long run” now, considering that exactly the same thing was said 6 years ago? :-)

They ride the "we are new" horse themselves, to explain their lack of expertise and knowledge in many pressing political issues. They are a new party, so people will look over some gaps, but this cannot last forever (maybe not even until the federal election next year).

Re: Germany's Pirate Party Looks to Win More Seats

#7
I've always been intreagued by the notion of democracy and allowing people to choose their leadership. All political systems sound good on paper.

But my point is this. At a psychological level people are driven by emotion rather than logic. Most of the general public do not understand or are interested in politics. They do not have the indepth knowledge required to make a good decision. Rather they rely on the media to tell them who to vote for. Depending on the economic circumstances at the time, the ordinary person will vote for the person who promises to overcome their short-term pain, while ignoring the consequences for the long term. The most recent example is Greece, where the people have voted for a government that is threatening to wreck all progress to date on solving their financials issues for the sake of easing austerity.

Thoughts?

Re: Germany's Pirate Party Looks to Win More Seats

#8
post #7

I've always been intreagued by the notion of democracy and allowing people to choose their leadership. All political systems sound good on paper. But my point is this. At a psychological level people are driven by emotion rather than logic. Most of the general public do not understand or are interested in politics. They do not have the indepth knowledge required to make a good decision. Rather they rely on the media…

Yes, democracy is the worst system of governance we have, except for all the others.

In Greece, voters punished the two main parties who colluded to fuck them over so badly, by voting for other parties. In fact, almost 20% of the parliament is now composed of members of brand new parties - brand new because many voters don't feel their interests are being represented by the older parties. Isn't this result exactly what we would want and hope for in a system of governance?

> is threatening to wreck all progress to date on solving their financials issues for the sake of easing austerity.

Oh my.

Re: Germany's Pirate Party Looks to Win More Seats

#9
post #7

I've always been intreagued by the notion of democracy and allowing people to choose their leadership. All political systems sound good on paper. But my point is this. At a psychological level people are driven by emotion rather than logic. Most of the general public do not understand or are interested in politics. They do not have the indepth knowledge required to make a good decision. Rather they rely on the media…

Democracy is not a good form of governance, nor was it supposed to be. Democracy is the best way to ensure social stability and the best way to protect the interests of the majority from that of the aristocracy. In the very long run those 2 concerns trump all others. Questions on the effectiveness of government is irrelevant when you consider that most human progress comes from private, non-governmental entities.

Re: Germany's Pirate Party Looks to Win More Seats

#10
post #8
post #7

I've always been intreagued by the notion of democracy and allowing people to choose their leadership. All political systems sound good on paper. But my point is this. At a psychological level people are driven by emotion rather than logic. Most of the general public do not understand or are interested in politics. They do not have the indepth knowledge required to make a good decision. Rather they rely on the media…

Yes, democracy is the worst system of governance we have, except for all the others. In Greece, voters punished the two main parties who colluded to fuck them over so badly, by voting for other parties. In fact, almost 20% of the parliament is now composed of members of brand new parties - brand new because many voters don't feel their interests are being represented by the older parties. Isn't this result exactly wh…

"If Athens doesn't keep its word, it will be a democratic choice. The consequence will be that the basis for fresh aid will disappear." Jens Weidmann, German bank chief (quote from today from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-18046280 )
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