Should The Majority Really Rule?

Should the majority rule? This debate has been lingering ever since the idea of the Internet Referendum Project (IRP) came into existence between the different members of Mind The Brain, and anyone we bring it up to. I have conflicting views.

My initial answer is no. This is my pessimistic realist half speaking. An individual can be intelligent, but the masses can be ignorant. This is evident in history in so cases such as religion, cults, and WWII, where mob-mentality takes over rationale and violence occurs. Inciters simply take advantage of the time and place to manipulate the masses.  I believe the masses can be dangerous. If everyone is doing wrong together, people lose their sense of responsibility and identity.

Personally, I believe one person or a relatively small group of people should be responsible for making the decisions, so that we can ensure they will have all the resources to make the informed decisions. It is also their civil duty, their public oath, and we simply have to trust they will do it. In theory, this is a valid solution barring no outside influence such as: money, personal bias, lobbyists (get rid of them!), or career politics. Representing the public for no personal gain is a noble post that has unfortunately been hijacked. Therefore, this solution is no longer practical.

My optimistic idealist half says the IRP is a great solution. This tool will truly enable the masses to take control back. This half truly believes this effort can lead to more good than harm. People can in fact do the right thing at the top of the hour. People fight for justice when they know they have a choice. People need to know that knowledge is truly power (too cheesy for you? Sue me!). I hope, I pray to whatever it is, that people don't take for granted the lessons from history. People always pull together in time for need. We are definitely in a time of need, and the time of need should be always, because the truth is we all need each other. Just like Good needs Evil, we need each other even to disagree. We just have to disagree about an educated decision.

Regardless of my personal beliefs, I am the techinical lead on the IRP and will continue to move forward with it. I only hope history will look back favorably on us, and on this effort.

With Love,

Dirka