The point was made that Democracy requires a basic minimum of education to function.

This is the key.

Humanity has evolved to a degree that it has developed systems of survival that don't require pillaging, murder, theft, rape, war etc for survival.

We in the west rely on two basic systems of organization within our society.

These exist to allow for the movement of resources and the protection of individuals.

Money and democracy.

There are many views on the best approach to economics and politics, but both arguments now exist within a basic framework of acceptable parameters.

In both areas there are those with extreme views, but more and more western society is tending towards a middle ground.

Those who are unable to function within the economic system fairly resort to theft etc.

Those who are unable to function within the current political parameters resort to wars, rioting, etc.

To be able to function within society, and for the current economic and political system to be able to function smoothly, people need to have a basic understanding of how both work and why they are the way they are.

Politiciaans often talk about the three "R"s, but equally important is an education in politics and economics.

The history andd evolution of political systems and the discussion of political ideas are neglected in our education systems as are the history ad development of our economic systems, and the discussion of different economic theories.

In most political and economic discussions that I participate in, in this forum and elsewhere, people, including myself, espouse ideas and viewpoints that we believe to be original, when in fact they are often just the half understood premisses of one out of many already established economic or political theories.


Most importantly of all however, This lack of education in this respect is deeply compounded by the fact that people are not even forming views based on correct information, but often on fabricated "facts" that they have gleaned from the official information organs in the media.


So if poor peoples political and economic education is based on information received from rags like the mail and the sun, how the hell are they meant to participate in their democracy in any meaningful way?


So when the BNP puts out lies and propaganda about minorities etc and in the proceess pres peoples buttons, how are those poor people meant to know that this infrmation is not true or that the BNP's ideology is reactionary and destructive to the institutions that are keeping us out of the jungle?


I've written this in an unclear way but hopefully the essence of my point is clear enough.