From the time human society has started organising itself, it's surroundings, intelligence, and knowledge level have had a profound effect on its governance structures. Through the ages we have seen various versions of rule of a man/ family (despotism, monarchy, aristocracy), rule of God (theocracy), rule of men (democracy, republic, socialism, communism, nationalism), rule of money (capitalism), and even no rule (anarchy).
The first radical change came via the advent of the printing press and the corresponding realtively wider availability of knowledge. This steadily eroded ideologies that rely on people's ignorance, and strengthened those that either empower or manipulate them. This ultimately led to the decline of theocracies and monarchies, and the rise of democracies, socialism, propoganda fuelled dictatorships, and capitalism. When combined with older forms of governance, this has produced a wide range of governance structures around the globe.
The knowledge that came with the printed word did not get rid the human race of thirst for power, control, and pseudo-superiority. In fact, it made the quest more sophisticated and destructive. As rulers adjusted to the shock of more informed and combatative subjects, they tweaked their tools of propaganda, terror and division. The same knowledge that developed life saving drugs also came up with nuclear weapons. Promises of communist utopia often turned out to be despotic hells.
Nevertheless, democracy has slowly become the most common form of governance, and ideas of capitalism and socialism have both become deeply embedded in the system. However, the rise of the Internet, satellites and the ability of the rulers to track their "subjects" closely is changing things in a way that may see revival of totalitarian regimes, with even the current "free" democracies slowly eroding away the freedom of their citizens using propaganda, fear, monetary control, and intimidation.
Having said that, I think that these same technical advancements present an opportunity to build a strong, transparent, and meritocratic country. The happiness and prosperity of nations will be determined by their ability to command an effective economy, to generate superior scientific knowledge, and being militarily strong. This in turn would depend on having better people in top positions, which perhaps can be done more effectively in an inherent meritocratic system. I find the thought pretty appealing, and will write about it as and when I get time in form of similar articles. I hope somebody, somewhere, someday finds it useful and interesting.
The first radical change came via the advent of the printing press and the corresponding realtively wider availability of knowledge. This steadily eroded ideologies that rely on people's ignorance, and strengthened those that either empower or manipulate them. This ultimately led to the decline of theocracies and monarchies, and the rise of democracies, socialism, propoganda fuelled dictatorships, and capitalism. When combined with older forms of governance, this has produced a wide range of governance structures around the globe.
The knowledge that came with the printed word did not get rid the human race of thirst for power, control, and pseudo-superiority. In fact, it made the quest more sophisticated and destructive. As rulers adjusted to the shock of more informed and combatative subjects, they tweaked their tools of propaganda, terror and division. The same knowledge that developed life saving drugs also came up with nuclear weapons. Promises of communist utopia often turned out to be despotic hells.
Nevertheless, democracy has slowly become the most common form of governance, and ideas of capitalism and socialism have both become deeply embedded in the system. However, the rise of the Internet, satellites and the ability of the rulers to track their "subjects" closely is changing things in a way that may see revival of totalitarian regimes, with even the current "free" democracies slowly eroding away the freedom of their citizens using propaganda, fear, monetary control, and intimidation.
Having said that, I think that these same technical advancements present an opportunity to build a strong, transparent, and meritocratic country. The happiness and prosperity of nations will be determined by their ability to command an effective economy, to generate superior scientific knowledge, and being militarily strong. This in turn would depend on having better people in top positions, which perhaps can be done more effectively in an inherent meritocratic system. I find the thought pretty appealing, and will write about it as and when I get time in form of similar articles. I hope somebody, somewhere, someday finds it useful and interesting.
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