"Democracy" such a big and tragic historical topic I hope I can adequately put it in context for you.
That's essentially what government is, especially a republic or democracy.
Western civilization (arguably now world civilization) is build of classical history (Greece derived) And anyone interested in any part of history should study it because all those involved in the period you are interested in
did.
Prior to ancient Greece "civilization" was headed by Despotic, Monarchic & Theocratic forms of State control Such as Babylonian, Assyrian, Egyptian but to name a few. This stretched from Greece across Asia minor into the Arabian peninsula and Africa. These states were super massive relative to their time.
Except for in the Greek peninsula (Know as Mycenae at the time) It's mountainous geography, including it's isles prevented centralized State control for a long time. This hindered a ruler from assembling an army large enough to conquer it's neighbors effectively (although it was tried).
The people in these small countries or Polis established trade with each other, in ways not possible in the neighboring empires. despite being separated by mountains and unfriendly coastlines.
This bore fruit to birth of Art and Philosophy. "Bah humbug!" You might say but this is what caused their civilization (not empire or country) to flourish. It allowed for reason to be defined and the scientific method to be created, (Everything you enjoy today hinges on this) It's art allowed them as a region to self identify through poetry and literature, and it endeared them to others (which eventually backfired)
The classical birthplace of democracy is no doubt Athens it governed it's people through a popular vote although it had a king. This new model allowed it's governments ruler to govern by consent and not fiat. Which allowed him to focus his military / militia outside of his kingdom and not have to police his own dissidents. Athens's influence and treasury swelled and it created a voluntary/strong armed "League" of "independent" states headed by Athens (Which later inspired the league of nations).
By this time Athens was still prosperous but it was an empire. It created it's famous public works projects that still stand today. Not soon after it's government spend more then it could take in from it's "allies" and began inflating it's currency to make up for it (sound familiar?) Soon after it collapsed and was conquered by Sparta and never again became of any significance.
But "Greece" would still become an empire as was afterwards conquered in part by Macedon (Alexander's dad) because of his love for the Greek Culture) Which later on this was absorbed by Rome etc...
We all vote for our representatives, the people who ideally should represent our wishes, to join a (theoretically) consensus-based group to help decide on the rules by which we (again, theoretically) all agree to abide.
Say we live in a country with 10 people.
one of which is the ruler.
We the nine are to vote on the construction of a building benefiting only some.
The vote passed and we now have a public building. Six benefited while Four did not. The Four were forced to pay and suffer a loss for that of the other Six stand to gain from.
This is called Tyranny of the Majority also known as Democracy.
We in the US have a "Republic" which is a governmental system of checks an balances using the democratic method.
This makes us feel special.
A vote is called for a public building.
We now have a building that benefits some but not others but that's ok we live in a "Republic"
War has just been declared by your duly elected go fight for your freedom. (lower class males 18-64 need only apply)
That war sure was expensive Good thing we all can all bear the national debt.
Our economy is doing terrible, this is totally not related to the taxes, I blame that rich guy!
Some of you guys are still rich and we should share, sharing is good.
We are having a problem with violent extrimists that kill babies, watch your local news good comr..citizens!
While this is highly simplified the premise remains the same.
Only one guy smiles (benefits) the whole time. So how do you gentlemen suggest we all come to consensus on how to share our space?
&
If we don't have some sort of consensus method, which is essentially what government is, how can so many of us live together in so small a space?
"Hello Mrs. Witch I noticed you have a bunch gorgeous rhubarb stalks for sale. How much?"
"Oh perfect, these will go into making sweet rolls for my customers."
"Hello Mr. Burt The usual sweet roll it is?"
"Boy that roll was great let me get back to building these motors for my boss."
"Yes Mr. John Deere your order of motors are ready. I can now afford to pay my employees more."
"At last the latest John Deere model is here to sell to my customers! 25% off store wide!"
"Yes Mrs. Witch your latest tractor is ready for delivery. Boy the rhubarb business sure is booming."
Now I'm only assuming that you grow rhubarb but the rest is factual. I don't know you but if you'd choose to buy a whole host of products I and millions of others benefit from your voluntary choice. This time there are no winners at the cost of others. It is in fact the only moral way of coexistence.
And if you choose to make a rhubarb product this summer/fall why don't we cut out the middle men and I'll buy it from you.
“History doesn't repeat itself, but it does rhyme.” - Mark Twain
