Turkey - TPTB want a mall in the park

**pete376403** · 12th June 2013, 20:57

Originally Posted by Ocean1

By definition a democracy has failed only if a significant majority of the population don't select the government.

There's been plenty of democracies that failed because they weren't actually democracies. A whole slew of African examples spring to mind.

There's also been plenty of democracies that failed as a result of armed force, but I can't think of any that failed from any other cause.

Any country that uses the words "peoples", "democratic" and "republic" in its name is usually neither democratic nor a republic of its people

**Oscar** · 13th June 2013, 08:01

"The Death of Democracy" eh?

A spokesman for Turkey's ruling AKP party says it is open to the idea of a referendum on controversial plans to redevelop Istanbul's Gezi Park.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22882460

**oneofsix** · 13th June 2013, 08:05

Originally Posted by Oscar

"The Death of Democracy" eh?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22882460

Sounds like the protests are working. Guess the decision for the protesters now is to you trust a spokesman from a party that hasn't been listening before? Might be more believable if they left the protesters to have their sit in at the park whilst they hold the referendum.

**mashman** · 13th June 2013, 08:30

Originally Posted by Oscar

"The Death of Democracy" eh?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22882460

"Ruling AK party may hold vote on park." I hope they do. And all it took was image of the party to start looking bad in the eyes of the public. Noone like to see defenceless people being beaten by the police.

Would you say that the decision has more to do with the "party image" being tarnished or because of the protests?

**scumdog** · 13th June 2013, 08:37

Originally Posted by pete376403

Any country that uses the words "peoples", "democratic" and "republic" in its name is usually neither democratic nor a republic of its people

Yup - and add "free" to the mix too.

**Banditbandit** · 13th June 2013, 09:37

Originally Posted by Ocean1

By definition a democracy has failed only if a significant majority of the population don't select the government.

There's been plenty of democracies that failed because they weren't actually democracies. A whole slew of African examples spring to mind.

There's also been plenty of democracies that failed as a result of armed force, but I can't think of any that failed from any other cause.

Greece is getting damm close ... and a few other European democracies ... The US o A might become one too - if China calls in the debt ...

**Banditbandit** · 13th June 2013, 09:40

Originally Posted by scumdog

Yup - and add "free" to the mix too.

Yes .. "The Free Democratic People's Republic of Scumlandia" ... That has a certain ring to it ...

**unstuck** · 13th June 2013, 09:44

Originally Posted by Banditbandit

Yes .. "The Free Democratic People's Republic of Scumlandia" ... That has a certain ring to it ...

That would be the little town to the east and north of the Big River Town wouldn't it.

Starts with K.

**Banditbandit** · 14th June 2013, 12:12

Originally Posted by unstuck

That would be the little town to the east and north of the Big River Town wouldn't it.

Starts with K.

And it would have to be a Police State !!!

**scumdog** · 16th June 2013, 18:18

Originally Posted by Banditbandit

And it would have to be a Police State !!!

The 'good' folk that live there wish it was!

**Akzle** · 16th June 2013, 19:21

Originally Posted by Ocean1

By definition a democracy has failed only if a significant majority of the population don't select the government.

there's a significant majority? that vote?? in nz? for the IMF?

i don't believe it.

**blue rider** · 16th June 2013, 19:36

Originally Posted by scumdog

The 'good' folk that live there wish it was!

wankers the lot of them....the one profession that adds very little to the overall wellbeing of society is the police.....usually loosers that choose a uniform cause its easier following orders than making up their own mind.

freedome enforced by the police for a few against the masses.....wankers

**scumdog** · 16th June 2013, 19:39

Originally Posted by blue rider

wankers the lot of them....the one profession that adds very little to the overall wellbeing of society is the police.....usually loosers that choose a uniform cause its easier following orders than making up their own mind.

freedome enforced by the police for a few against the masses.....wankers

Glad you told me that - I wouldn't have thought of it by myself...

Oh, and do tell me of a successfu,l happy, large society that has no Police??