Can we claim democracy if we can't talk to each other?
Whether you're following a local issue or a presidential campaign, these days it feels so easy to just pick a side and stick with it. But isn't democracy based on the idea that "the people" should have the ability to govern themselves -- and that such governance should address their needs?
How can we govern in such a way that meets the needs of "the people" if we never stop to listen to ALL of the people and what their needs are?
If we find it intolerable to listen to the ideas and questions of others as a way of discovering what their needs might be, what is the real future of our democracy?
How can we govern in such a way that meets the needs of "the people" if we never stop to listen to ALL of the people and what their needs are?
If we find it intolerable to listen to the ideas and questions of others as a way of discovering what their needs might be, what is the real future of our democracy?
posted by Girl Outa Texas at 4:47 PM
3 Comments:
Perhaps the fact that no one is listening is part of the reason why so many people have stopped thinking about issues bigger than themselves and their daily life. If there was no one out there to discuss things with, why would anyone question the beliefs that were handed down to them?
... questioning does take a bit of courage, because you might have to change some behavior based on the outcome of that questioning. Interesting. I hadn't really considered that the purpose of communication might be seen as "response," and that implies change. Change of belief, change of behavior, change of heart.
Surely such a lack of listening was not intentionally designed to create a population that was afraid to question their beliefs?
Thanks for deepening the thought!
I think one aspect of the problem is a lack of "space" (physical and mental) for people to engage with each other.
I may have a desire to talk to others about what is happening in the world - but where? Do I make a huge production of it and invite strangers for tea? If there were regular groups in my community that had meaningful dialogue I think I'd go - but I don't want to take the burden of starting one myself.
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