Democracy

[Khan]

Why is it that democracy is completely dead in Dune? If they are truly the descendants of Earth surely they would of taken democracy or communism with them. Not made monarchical societies. What do you guys think?

[Emperor Harkonnen]

democracy don't last for long, and it would not surprise me if we didn't have any democracy on earth in a few hundred years. monarchy has ruled the longest and is the most likeliest thing, the most stabile too.

[Khan]

But pretty much every Monarchy has been usurped and destroyed. Not a very stable system.

[TMA_1]

same with democracy khan. Also, it is extremely inefficiant to use in such a vast amount of ruling space. Power needs to be split up into a sort of confederation. Power needs to be focused in specific groups in order to maintain a level of activity so the government does not stagnate. There is still democracy in the empire though. The landsraad council has votes that are extremely powerful. it is an enlightened monarchy that has a lot of democratic ideals. it just isnt a pure democracy.

Also, there has never been a true democracy on earth, so how do you know it can exist? cant go too far off topic since this is duniverse.

[Khan]

But surely the rulers of the separate planets could be elected. Not all of the worlds have democratic types of monarchy, such as the Harkonnens.

[Tio_Holtzmann]

I think it depends on the mentality of the ruling class of whichever planet you're talking about. For example, the Harkonnens took anyone who was cunning and pure evil, but I think some places had democracies, I think Beakkal was ruled by a prime magistrate who was elected. There's no mention of a ruling family on Beakkal. And in Richese, Ilban Richese was the head of the Richese domain, but it always seemed like Ein Calimar did all the work. Not quite a monarchy or a democracy. Plus in some monarchies, I think the people wouldn't mind keeping their rulers, like the Atreides?

[Emperor Harkonnen]

I think almost all of the planets have monarchy. most important Corrino has

[Dante]

There is a KIND of democracy in the Landsraad although the system itself is nominally autocratic. Better that way. Less arguments.

[Mahdi]

Nah, thats more in line with the French Estates than democracy.

[Dante]

That or the Holy Roman Empire...

(Want an essay? I do have one about the political system in Dune...)

[Vanguard3000]

As Mahdi said, it is a lot like pre-revolutionary France. Things are controlled by the Spacing Guild and the other "hidden partners". The Houses would discuss and vote on minor subjects.

[Tio_Holtzmann]

Or kinda like Britain, once Magna Carta came along and gave the barons the power, they were as annoying to the king as the guild was to the Corrinos because of the interdependence there. And when Charles I tried to get back the power by Divine right <KABLAMMO> civil war.......

[Navaros]

Why is it that democracy is completely dead in Dune? If they are truly the descendants of Earth surely they would of taken democracy or communism with them. Not made monarchical societies. What do you guys think?

cuz democracy sux. it's dumb. the average person (on Earth at least) is a complete moron. so why would you want a moron choosing who governs? that's just plain stupid.

[Emperor Harkonnen]

the norwegian author Henrik Ibsen said something about that, think it was that the majority is stupid, I can't recall exactly what he said

[Mahdi]

That or the Holy Roman Empire...

(Want an essay? I do have one about the political system in Dune...)

That might be worth reading. I think Andrew is also writing one.

[Dante]

If I can wrangle it back from my teacher I'll see what I can do...

I'd like to read Andrew's too.

[Andrew]

Yah, but so far my essay is garbage, but its due on March 31st, so if i do give it out it will be around that time.