The Urban Dictionary defines Irish Democracy as “A political philosophy which posits that the law is merely what the authorities will actually do something about.” At Econlog, I find this description: “James Scott calls the passive resistance of a society that doesn’t like what its rulers are doing to it. In his book “Two Cheers for Anarchy,” he writes, “One need not have an actual conspiracy to achieve the practical effects of a conspiracy. More regimes have been brought, piecemeal, to their knees by what was once called ‘Irish Democracy,’ the silent, dogged resistance, withdrawal and truculence of millions of ordinary people, than by revolutionary vanguards or rioting mobs.”
P.J. O’Rourke didn’t call it Irish Democracy when he wrote “Don’t Vote – It Only Encourages the Bastards.” Still, I suspect he saw something like our current system – when the Primary ballots are counted, the reality is that the election is over.
It took a while for me to realize why this “silent dogged resistance, withdrawal and truculence” is identified as Irish – then, as I tied two worn ropes together, and remembered that the loose ends of the knot are termed ‘Irish Pennants’ by sailors, I realized the answer. The Irish have a long history – dating back to Cromwell or before – of having no input into the government that ruled them. Same way with the Russians, and other nationalities – but the Irish made their point with the rebellion of 98, and in the Post Office in 1916. But even when they got their Republic, they weren’t in the habit of having a government that listened.
And, similarly, I see less input into the government that rules us. Jon Tester (in a weird way I sort of like the man) served someone as Montana’s Senator for eighteen years. If I look at Open Secrets, it shows me that, during his last term, his top contributor was the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. Second place is held by JStreetPAC. Then comes Google, Microsoft and Goldman Sachs. Not groups or businesses that tend to share interests with Montana.
Steve Daines decided not to run, announced at the last minute, and Kurt Alme filed at the next-to-last minute. Sure – we have a primary – but the strongest candidate was handed a primary where he would be the strongest candidate. So my choice is to do a Dem ballot and pick the best candidate from a group of five virtual unknowns, vote Libertarian, or follow PJ’s advice. Voting only encourages the bastards.
Irish Democracy occurs naturally as the citizenry have less input into their government. Christi Jacobsen, Secretary of State, made it extremely difficult to write in a protest vote that would be counted. So, if you see an unopposed candidate on your ballot, don’t vote. It only encourages the bastards. Irish Democracy – the silent, dogged resistance, withdrawal and truculence of ordinary people. The sort of attitude people develop when their government ignores their wants and wishes.
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