As I read a recent article about the disillusionment of the american population with their current political leadership... I was left to wonder about the evolution of leadership and government throughout man's history.
Government has served to build infrastructure and benefit its citizens. Government has served to defend its citizens when faced with outside threats. Government has repressed its citizens and collected resources to serve an elite (sometimes corrupt) minority. Government has forced political, moral, and religious ideology on its citizens. Government defends culture and religion. Government serves to control natural resources for the use of its own citizens and the exclusion of others.
Some believe that the best government is the one which interferes the least in daily life (and death) of its citizens... allowing people to sink or swim by any means. Some believe governments role is to do all it can to make its citizens life, health, and welfare as good as possible. Some believe the big governments of the world have a responsibility to help the citizens of smaller countries... but what is considered help and what in return do those smaller countries owe?
Finally... how important is the role of leadership in government? Should leaders be kept weak or should they be allowed carte blanche in deciding policy? With almost immediate feedback regarding public events made possible today by modern technology... should the internet and public opinion be part of modern decision making? Ultimately... should we, collectively, be our own leadership?
What do people here think the role of government should be in the contemporary world society we have today?
BTW here is the article that got me thinking...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070309/ap_on_go_pr_wh/lacking_leadership;_ylt=AjHSciBD45Pq2evq6i5_KXYD5gcF
Members
Total Members: 312
Stats
Users Online
