Problem

A remarkable scene that I encounter in Schama's Citizens is the (literally) bread-and-butter problem of France faced by the revolutionists. To put it simply:

"...the Republic was confronted with a disturbing truth. The Revolution had started with a crisis of fiscal incapacity, but the new regime was no nearer to solving its problems than the old..."(Part Four, Virtue and Death, Chapter 16, Enemies of the People? Winter - Spring 1793, Part III, Paltry Merchandize, March to June)

And that brings us back to the fundamental question that I skipped some days ago: Is democratic system an effective means to achieve a just and harmonious society?

On the face of it, many of us would say yes. The current system results in governmental policies that are usually skewed and tend to favour financial tycoons - or so is it usually concluded.

But, hold on. Don't jump to the conclusion so fast. Our government is unfortunately similar to the France Kingdom under Louis XVI, and, in reality, most privileges go to the clergy and few end up in the pocket of the nobility. Commoner? It is the educated way to call slaves.

PS. You may think it inappropriate to call communists the clergy. However, communism is, for practical purpose and by all probability, a religion. As Hercule Poirot said (in Murder on the Links), if you do not see this, you could not understand the whole process.