America is one of the oldest democracies in the world, so one Moorpark College professor decided to examine how we are doing compared to the rest of the world.
“U.S. and Them,” a lecture by anthropology Professor John Baker in the television studio on Wednesday Feb. 18, explored our stance on freedom and how we stack up to other countries.
“I think, by and large, America is doing pretty good as a democracy,” said Baker. “Obviously we have our own unique set of issues, just like other countries have their own.”
Baker went over the different ideals of “true democracy,” comparing America’s system to a country such as Iraq.
“The Iraqis don’t have the type of democracy that we have, and I doubt if they’d even want it,” said Baker. “They have to come up with their own form.”
Baker also said that for Iraq to decide what kind of government to adopt, they would have to do it democratically.
He also examined Obama’s rise to the presidency, remarking that electing a person who represents such a historically oppressed segment of American culture is a huge breakthrough.
“We’ve also, however, never have had a Native American candidate, and historically they are arguably the most oppressed segment of our society,” Baker added.
Baker used a TV to project a series of slides to help illustrate his lecture, with the Radio and Television class recording the presentation.
America’s history as the world’s oldest democratic government was discussed; including the fact that the founding fathers considered such a government to be “mob rule.” It was also believed that doing so would be, in some instances, allowing 51 percent of the population to decide the fate of the other 49 percent.
This is a problem that has fallen on states such as California, where Gray Davis was recalled from office as governor and replaced him with Arnold Schwarzenegger.
“Arnold wishes he had the problems Gray Davis had,” said Baker.
After the presentation was over, John Baker remarked on the one quality that every American has a right to: the right to complain about ourselves.
“I personally believe that the country you have the most right to judge is your own.”
