Звездный десант

           butthatwastheageofthe‘divinerightofthecommonman.’Nevermind,theypaidfortheirfolly.

           "Thesovereignfranchisehasbeenbestowedbyallsortsofrules—placeofbirth,familyofbirth,race,sex,property,education,age,religion,etcetera.Allthesesystemsworkedandnoneofthemwell.Allwereregardedastyrannicalbymany,alleventuallycollapsedorwereoverthrown.

           "Nowherearewewithstillanothersystem...andoursystemworksquitewell.Manycomplainbutnonerebel;personalfreedomforallisgreatestinhistory,lawsarefew,taxesarelow,livingstandardsareashighasproductivitypermits,crimeisatitslowestebb.Why?Notbecauseourvotersaresmarterthanotherpeople;we’vedisposedofthatargument.Mr.Tammanycanyoutelluswhyoursystemworksbetterthananyusedbyourancestors?"

           Idon’tknowwhereClydeTammanygothisname;I’dtakehimforaHindu.Heanswered,"Uh,I’dventuretoguessthatit’sbecausetheelectorsareasmallgroupwhoknowthatthedecisionsareuptothem...sotheystudytheissues."

           "Noguessing,please;thisisexactscience.Andyourguessiswrong.Therulingnoblesofmanyanothersystemwereasmallgroupfullyawareoftheirgravepower.