The "Best Form of Government"

Because of some miscalculation and miscommunications, we have experienced some confusion about our meetings on Easter Sunday and April 30th. We apologize to anyone who may have missed us.

Our next conversation falls on May 14th, which is Mother's Day, but we will hold it regardless. The following one would fall on Memorial Day weekend if we stick to our bi-weekly schedule; we will discuss whether to reschedule and keep you posted. Please watch for our updates to keep current on our semi-regular schedule. Thank you.

Last time, we continued examining our government and comparing it to others. We assessed the balance of powers among our three branches and explored the history and legitimacy of the Supreme Court's right of judicial review. The ruling Gore v. Bush was criticized along the way.

The talk then centered around identifying the "best form of government". A debate ensued as to the criteria that we would use to determine such a thing. One suggested that the longevity of a particular government woult indicate its success. Another thought that the degree to which it executes the "will of the people" is most important. A third believed the happiness of a government's citizens might be the best criterion by which to judge.

As a 200+ year old, civil war survivor, the US system is a contender that even put "pursuit of happiness" into a founding document. Canada was given high praise. Castro was awarded credit by some, and derided by others, as a "benevolent dictator." And speculation was put forward about how well the French revolution and the Nazis enacted the public will.

It was generally perceived that the complexities of society necessitate a common-held government to counterbalance the other powers that will naturally arise. The "best system" is the one that evolves organically, and peacefully, from the culture it is destined to rule.

So, has our system finished its evolution? Is representative democracy, with perhaps a little tweaking, as good as it gets? Has America achieved the pinnacle of rational governance or is this just one stage of an ongoing process? What does the future have in store? Come help create it as we debate our place in history May 14th, 3 PM at the City Café.