psychomed;
politicomathematical analyses;
psychodynamics;
psychocrats.
"You can't elect a psychocrat, any more that you can elect an engineer. I don't want an elite of any kind, the world has seen too many of them; with all its maddening drawbacks, parliamentary government is still the only way; the psychocrats must still remain only advisors." (Chapter 5, p. 41)
I would change two words in this paragraph:
"...crat" means "ruler" so some other term is necessary for psychological specialists who are mere advisors;
democratic government is necessary but parliamentary procedures where citizens merely write "X" beside a name every few years are arguably not the most active or participative form of democracy!
5 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
I agree that "psychocrat" is not really satisfactory when applied to men who at least CLAIMED to be merely "advisers."
And I don't see any really practical way of having any kind of parliamentary gov't EXCEPT by writing that "X."
Sean
Sean,
We need the "X" at a minimum. However, during an election, radio and television merely quote a new opinion poll result every morning, then ask candidates to comment on it. Instead, the public could be involved in mass meetings and discussions and could play a far greater role in formulating the policies of the contending parties. New procedures need to be hammered out. I don't know all the answers but I am only one person. Democracy should be about maximum involvement of everyone who can think and speak.
Paul.
Paul:
By the by, Andre Norton used the term "Psychocrat" in a few of her books. Her Psychocrats, though, were rulers — or rather, had been, before they were overthrown; none of the stories portray them as still in power anywhere. They were mad scientists, it seems, specializing in psychological manipulation.
Ice Crown is about an entire planet being mind-controlled to remain a feudal culture ... apparently either as an experiment, or just for the evil of it. Every now and again, the computer that kept the control going would toss in weird swerves in behavior, such as the likable princess who became a cruel despot when crowned queen.
Android at Arms indicates that a Psychocrat remnant group branched into biotechnology by kidnapping and replacing influential people with android doubles which are so perfect that they can father or bear children. When several kidnap victims break free, they discover that their replacements have really messed up their reputations at home....
David,
Exactly. PsychoCRAT means a ruler, not an adviser.
Paul.
Kaor, Paul and DAVID!
Paul: I'm sorry, but I don't really see the kind of situation you advocate EVER becoming practical in any meaningful way. Most people are simply not that INTERESTED in politics to ever go for participating in the kind of public meetings and discussions you favor. And, truthfully, I have some sympathy for that kind of indifference. Simply getting by and taking care of one's everyday life and affairs will take up most of our energy and interest. I personally know people who have never voted and have no interest in doing so. Regrettable, but it's simply what real people in real life are like.
David: I used to have a fair number of Andre Norton's books and I have read ICE CROWN MYSELF. You are making me regret how I long ago discarded most of the Norton books I had! (Smiles)
Sean
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