They started out being ruled by a king. After years of rule by a monarchy (rule by one) there was a revolution which overthrew the king and the people established a republican form of government. They drafted a constitution that was to obtain fuller security of person and property. It defined the limits of government, it safeguarded the community against abuses of personal liberty, it gave the right of appeal to a popular assembly. They built a republic that limited government power and left the people alone. Since government was limited the people were free to produce with the understanding that they could keep the fruits of their labor. In time the country became wealthy and the envy of the world.
In the midst of plenty however the people forgot what freedom entailed. They forgot that the essence of freedom is the proper limitation of government. When governments power grew the peoples freedom receded. Once the people dropped their guard power hungry politicians began to exceed the powers granted them in the constitution. Some learned that they could elect politicians who would use government power to take from some and give it to others. Agriculture subsides were introduced, followed by housing and welfare programs. A single politician was elected leader and he soon found himself at serious odds with people in his own government mainly about the redistribution of wealth. Soon this politician tried to take his message straight to the people he wanted to give things to people, by-passing the senate to do so. His "experiment in state socialism was sharply criticized."
Inevitable taxes went up and controls over the private sector were imposed. Soon a number of the countries producers were no longer able to make ends meat and they went on the dole. Productivity declined, shortages developed, and people started to make their voices heard being reluctant to hand over any surplus for distribution to the unemployed. Then mobs began roaming the streets demanding things from the government. Many were induced to trade freedom for security. Eventually the whole system came crashing down. The republican constitution was progressively disjointed and paralysed. They went from a republic, to a democracy, and ended up an oligarchy (rule by a few) under the oppression of their leaders.
Most of the above was taken from a video that I will post here and on a link to the right under "Videos" shortly. Look for the answer 6/13/09.
No comments:
Post a Comment