Schnellzug
Established Member
I think everyone can agree that, while the CameronCleggCoalition has set new standards for ineptitude, this is certainly not a new phenomenon, and it is hard to think of any Government that, over the last half century or so at least, has either (a) had the faintest idea what it was doing, or (b) has had the interests of the nation and its people at heart, rather than being obssessed with following some dogma or other. And when you come down to Local Government level, then surely it gets even worse; I realise I cannot speak for everywhere, but round this way just about every tier of Local government sets new standards for incompetence and arrogance and a blithe disregard for the views of the People nearly every week.
Now, the question is, is this the fault of the Party system? Or is it an intrinsic weakness of Democracy? Does Democracy actually work at providing competent Government? Other countries in Europe (some of them, at any rate) do seem to be capable of running things reasonably efficiently and providing efficient, and cost effective, public services. It is because most countries in Europe don't have just two parties that ever get into power (sorry Nick, but you don't count) , but because they often have so many, Party dogma isn't so influential and in fact the identity of the Party in power doesn't really matter so much?
(leaving the U.S. out of it for now, which is every bit as bad as the UK)
Now, the question is, is this the fault of the Party system? Or is it an intrinsic weakness of Democracy? Does Democracy actually work at providing competent Government? Other countries in Europe (some of them, at any rate) do seem to be capable of running things reasonably efficiently and providing efficient, and cost effective, public services. It is because most countries in Europe don't have just two parties that ever get into power (sorry Nick, but you don't count) , but because they often have so many, Party dogma isn't so influential and in fact the identity of the Party in power doesn't really matter so much?
(leaving the U.S. out of it for now, which is every bit as bad as the UK)