Beyond poilitics, beyond democracy

Nowadays, democracy rules the
world. Communism is long dead,
elections are taking place even in
Afghanistan and Iraq, and world
leaders are meeting to plan the
“global community” we hear so
much about. So why isn’t everybody
happy, fi nally? For that matter—why
do so few of the eligible voters in the
United States, the world’s fl agship
democracy, even bother to vote?


Three wolves and six goats are discussing what
to have for dinner. One courageous goat makes
an impassioned case: “We should put it to a vote!” Th e
other goats fear for his life, but surprisingly, the wolves
acquiesce. But when everyone is preparing to vote, the
wolves take three of the goats aside.
“Vote with us to make the other three goats dinner,”
they threaten. “Otherwise, vote or no vote, we’ll eat you.”
Th e other three goats are shocked by the outcome of
the election: a majority, including their comrades, has
voted for them to be killed and eaten. Th ey protest in
outrage and terror, but the goat who fi rst suggested the
vote rebukes them: “Be thankful you live in a democracy!
At least we got to have a say in this!”