This is an old documentary by Encyclopedia Britannica that provides a way for a person to measure the levels of democracy and despotism in a society. This documentary is made in 1946 in collaboration with Harold D. Lasswell PhD of Yale University a political scientist. Harold D. Laswell PhD begins with the statement, "Avoid the comfortable idea that the mere form of government can of itself safeguard a nation against despotism. He then encourages a person to look beyond fine words and noble phrases and to use a couple of scales as yardsticks to measure the levels of democracy or a tyrannical government (called "despotism") that may exist in a community."
Democracy & Despotism: 1940s Encyclopedia Britannica Films by Maria Popova
Vintage lessons in civic harmony, or how small-scale common courtesy paves the way for large-scale peace.
In 1945 and 1946, immediately following the end of World War II, Encyclopedia Britannica’s films division produced two educational short films, one on democracy and one on despotism, exploring how societies and nations rank on the spectrum from democracy to despotism by measuring the degree to which power is concentrated and respect for individuals restricted. More than half a century later, these analyses remain a compelling metric of social harmony and discord, in an era when we’re still struggling to understand the psychology of riots in a global political climate where the tension between despotism and democracy is in sharper focus than ever. (read more)
Despotism (1946 Encyclopedia Britannica educational film)
Vintage lessons in civic harmony, or how small-scale common courtesy paves the way for large-scale peace.
In 1945 and 1946, immediately following the end of World War II, Encyclopedia Britannica’s films division produced two educational short films, one on democracy and one on despotism, exploring how societies and nations rank on the spectrum from democracy to despotism by measuring the degree to which power is concentrated and respect for individuals restricted. More than half a century later, these analyses remain a compelling metric of social harmony and discord, in an era when we’re still struggling to understand the psychology of riots in a global political climate where the tension between despotism and democracy is in sharper focus than ever. (read more)
Despotism (1946 Encyclopedia Britannica educational film)
Notes to keep track of the lessons in the above video (quotes *& images are taken directly from the film):
You can measure any community on this simple scale;
You can measure any community on this simple scale;
Be careful NOT to assume that the 'mere form of a government can guard you against despotism'.Germany was a Republic and yet a despotic ruler was able to take root (i.e. Hitler).
A competent observer looks beyond fine words and noble phrases. [even Hitler used fine words and noble phrases - You look instead at history, actions, behaviour results of policies (and who was the controller behind the scene NOT just the face of an action)... Then follow the dots into the present using a holistic perspective]
Two yardsticks have been proven to help any community to discover how close it is to despotism;
The Respect Scale
As a community moves towards despotism, respect is restricted to fewer people (such as restricting respect to ONLY members of a small group or one political party).
A community is becoming despotic is respect is withheld from a large group of people on account
of thier political attitudes. (such as persecution because someone is wealthy, of a different race or religion etc.).
The ability of every citizen to better themselves (and educate themselves) is another important measurement of determining the level of respect in society.
The opportunity to develop useful skills is important but not enough as the opportunity to put such skills to use (make a living) is another important measurement on the respect scale.
A community is becoming despotic is respect is withheld from a large group of people on accountof thier political attitudes. (such as persecution because someone is wealthy, of a different race or religion etc.).
The ability of every citizen to better themselves (and educate themselves) is another important measurement of determining the level of respect in society.
The opportunity to develop useful skills is important but not enough as the opportunity to put such skills to use (make a living) is another important measurement on the respect scale.
The Power Scale
This scale is useful to determine the citizens share in making decisions for thier community.
When decision making is left in a few hands (or compiled into a huge bill so that there is at least one issue you feel so strongly for that you have to vote for it even if other aspects of the bill is bad for the community/country - then you have limited choice {and have been tricked!}) THEN the community is moving towards despotism.
Today, a community can move towards despotism by allowing power to become concentrated in the hands of a few.
The test of despotic power is that it can disregard the Will of The People.
Despotism can be official AND unofficial.
The spread of respect and power in a community can be measured using the following 2 scales;
When decision making is left in a few hands (or compiled into a huge bill so that there is at least one issue you feel so strongly for that you have to vote for it even if other aspects of the bill is bad for the community/country - then you have limited choice {and have been tricked!}) THEN the community is moving towards despotism.
Today, a community can move towards despotism by allowing power to become concentrated in the hands of a few.
The test of despotic power is that it can disregard the Will of The People.
Despotism can be official AND unofficial.
The spread of respect and power in a community can be measured using the following 2 scales;
Economic Distribution
If a communities economic distribution becomes slanted then it is moving towards despotism.
If middle income groups grow smaller, then despotism has a better chance to gain a foothold.
One sign of a move towards a despotic society is the concentration of land in the hands of a few people.
If middle income groups grow smaller, then despotism has a better chance to gain a foothold.
One sign of a move towards a despotic society is the concentration of land in the hands of a few people.
When farmers lose thier farms they lose thier independence.
In communities that depend on almost on a single industry (such as a factory or mine) will have find that maintaining economic balance is a challenging problem
In communities that depend on almost on a single industry (such as a factory or mine) will have find that maintaining economic balance is a challenging problem
Tax Burden
Another sign of a poorly balanced economy is a taxation system that presses heaviest on those least able to pay.
Larger amount of a poorer person's income is spent on food, so sales taxes press heaviest on the poor and middle class.
The Information Scale
A community rests low on the information scale when the press/media is controlled by a few people and when citizens HAVE TO accept what they are told.
If students are not taught critical thinking skills (with a well rounded education so they have basic knowledge of history, politics, sophism, economics etc.) THEN despotism has a good chance of establishing itself.
By keeping students unable to think critically, you get adults who can't think critically (or have any ability to evaluate facts from lies). These adults will accept whatever thier chosen authority source tells them.
If students are not taught critical thinking skills (with a well rounded education so they have basic knowledge of history, politics, sophism, economics etc.) THEN despotism has a good chance of establishing itself.
By keeping students unable to think critically, you get adults who can't think critically (or have any ability to evaluate facts from lies). These adults will accept whatever thier chosen authority source tells them.
Related:
Economics on my .Org
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