Aristocracy and democracy VIEWPOINTS Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz 04/17/2011

Aristocracy and democracy

VIEWPOINTS

Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz

04/17/2011
This is simply meant to reflect on the incongruous paring of aristocracy and democracy—without necessarily thinking of some families vis-à-vis people in general, without automatically making reference to certain highly favored and distinct individuals holding high and sensitive offices in government in relation to the populace in general.

This is intended to point out that there is definitely something queer, strange and/or suspicious when aristocrats assume governance over commoners, i.e., when wealthy and influential dynasties rule over the poor and miserable. And the reservation with the pairing rests on the empirical fact that aristocracy does not or cannot understand — much less realistically accept — the fundamental equality of human persons which is the anchorage of real and living democracy..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110417com5.html