Well, it seems like I’ve gotten some good answers here, & some bad ones.
Good ones have pointed out useful observations, such as that the real difference-maker is in the media & education systems. Of course I maintain that it’s easier to educate a king than 50 000 000 households.
Bad answers have assumed that I seek to protect the franchise for myself while shutting out others. No, in fact that is what democrats do.
[emph. added]
It’s not about fairness. It’s not about me thinking I’m a genius & you’re an idiot. It’s about this thing that we believe in not actually accomplishing good government. And democracy doesn’t even spread itself. The Roman Republic imposed tribute on other nations, then fell to the god-emperors, who installed vassal kings around the Mediterranean. The USA, once it had exterminated the nations in its way, turned its eyes to Latin America, installing fascists like Pinochet, & now seeks to play hegemon to the world. Even democrats don’t really believe in democracy for other people.
So, no, let’s admit that if we could pick a system of rule not for ourselves but for other people, even people who are not our enemies, it would be something else. And then, let’s treat ourselves with the same caution as we would others, & make sure we are ourselves ruled, & ruled properly.
The world needs kings. This flirtation with populism was heady, but it will bring ruin. Let’s go back to kings.