We talked about all the different types of government in Ancient Greece: Monarchy, Oligarchy, and Democracy. Then the task was too identify the advantages and disadvantages to each different type of government. The kids aptly pointed out that the main issues in the monarchies and oligarchies are the possibility for a tyrannical ruler and the uneven distribution of wealth.
Then we talked about Democracy. The kids thought it was awesome how people had the power and got to vote (although there was a bit of grumbling about the fact that kids don't get to vote.) And then when we got to disadvantages, the room was silent. One timid girl raised her hand (my little feminist from a previous post) and said "It seems like it would be hard to please everyone."
And therein lies the problem with politics, my brilliant little gem. Everybody will never be satisfied.
I might as well just hand the class over to her at this point and call it a day.
Bettering the common good used to be what everybody wanted, despite differences on how to achieve it. For the last 15-20 years how to achieve bettering the common good has lost out to tribal bickering about ideology. Your brilliant student was spot on -- democracy works best with a series of compromises, so no one group gets all that it wants.
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