In order to use the powerful tool of democracy more effectively the electorate should be aware of its limitations.

I believe that democracy is far and away the best form of government that a country can have but I am sometimes dismayed when people sometimes view it as some kind of 'Aladdin's lamp' that will automatically give forth good results just because that is what they want when they have gained a democratic decision. A good democratic government flies on two wings - majority support from the electorate and policies not in conflict with natural and physical laws. These laws could include market and human behavior. One also has to remember that the physical laws have been there since the beginning of time - long before they were discovered. In science progress is made by understanding these laws and using them in new and novel applications. However today too many times the electorate make unrealistic demands. Some politicians have pointed out that they couldn't get elected unless they subscribed to these demands. The result being that people feel cheated and disappointed with what they think is a rebuff to the 'will of the people' when these policies can't be implemented. Also there has been confusion resulting from 'democratic' being used as an adjective synonymous with 'good'. 'Rule of law', 'tolerance for minorities' etc. have all been described as 'democratic' where as while these might be good, they would enhance any form of government and might result in a despot being described as an 'enlightened depot'. One little point I would like to make with regard to "tolerance for minorities' which I have heard people say defines democracy, is that majority rule is at the very core of the democratic process. One should also remember that majorities are usually made up of an alliance of several minorities. On a last point, criticism is essential for any group to keep in touch with reality. One hears a lot of for politicians, some for the press but unfortunately very little for the electorate. This probably is because the 'people' are the customers of the press and the political establishment and they fear alienating ' the people'. Well I hope you forgive me if all this is more of a 'rant' than an article but at least I got it off my mind.