[quote=ocrenter][quote=Allan from Fallbrook][quote=scaredyclassic]The urge to exercise power over others is a naturally corrupting instinct.[/quote]
“All power tends to corrupt, absolute power tends to corrupt absolutely.”
– Lord Acton[/quote]
This is why ALL Chinese dynasties over the last 5000 years have an average life expectancy of 300 years.
In the beginning, the leader of the rebellion still have the people in his heart. With subsequent generations, the people become less and less of a concern, especially since power comes from the heaven, not fom the people. As time goes on, the corruption also becomes worse and worse. With corruption you end up with mismanagement, with mismanagement, you end up wth famine. This triggers a new rebellion, a new royal family, and the cycle continues.
America is heading to 300 pretty soon. I would hope the expiration date for a democracy would be longer, but I can certainly see elements of corruption and the concentration of power within the few (aka the Ivy League circle, the NRA, Big Pharma, Big Food…)[/quote]
Although each dynasty last ~300 years, dynasties last for thousands of years. Democracy is like dynasties, not a specific dynasty. You have different parties in charge and the corrupt will be booted. Although it’s not perfect, it’s still much better than the alternatives. I don’t think you can boot a king w/out an uprising.
