• Serinus@lemmy.world
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    18 hours ago

    The other point of representative government is that the people making the decisions can spend the time to research what they’re voting on.

    • Sharkticon@lemmy.zip
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      1 hour ago

      No I don’t think that tracks, I’d say it’s kind of a modern interpretation really. Historically it’s a a darker seedier reasoning really. Traditionally representative government has been favored because the wealthy delete didn’t think the people could be trusted. Unwashed uneducated masses couldn’t be allowed to make decisions. The liberal bourgeoisie in no way wanted the people making any decisions. There’s a reason most liberal revolutions did not result in widespread suffrage, much less universal suffrage.

      After all it’s not like Representatives had extra time to do research. When they weren’t traveling by horse or mule they were conducting their own affairs, not researching well into the night. No it’s much more about class than actual dedication.

      • Serinus@lemmy.world
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        1 hour ago

        It doesn’t really matter whether it’s modern or intended or accidental. The point is that it’s best that the people making the decisions are educated and informed, and that takes time. That takes the kind of time that makes it a full time job, not one you can do on the side.

        And yes, I understand that current representatives spend most of their time trudging up donations for campaigns, but that’s less than ideal. I might even argue that makes the idea not modern at all.