The Democracy Fetish

[Mindfire]

The other day I was thinking about a possible situation where my characters discover a new civilization run by something like a democracy, and my characters marvel at how inefficient it is and how much the people squabble among themselves and convince them to get a king instead.

Let's ignore the blindingly obvious fact that having a king won't instantly solve political infighting by ANY stretch of the imagination. It occurred to me that there is another issue here. If I ever put out a story like that, I'd be outright demonized. The media backlash for something like that woukd make your head spin.

But why? Why do we fetishize democracy when really its just the least bad of several bad options, and one that I'm not sure is universally apllicable?

I bring this up because one of the main criticisms of fantasy in general that I see (along with escapism bashing and accusations of racism) is condemning fantasy's lack of democracies and the predisposition toward kings, lords, noble warriors etc.

Should fantasy have more democracy? Are we obliged to mirror society's real world political values?

[Amanita]

Speaking as one of those people who dislike the prevalence of inherited power in fantasy, I’m still going to answer your last question with “no”.
The opinions of characters in a novel don’t have to be the opinions the author endorses and even if they are, being allowed to voice opinions that differ from those of the majority is part of any free society.

The media backlash for something like that woukd make your head spin.

If your book gets well-known enough for this to happen, good for you. Everyone’s going to buy a copy and see for themselves if this guy is really proposing something so outrageous or not.
Honestly, I doubt that being anti-democracy will cause such an outcry though. I’m quite certain it wouldn’t do so in Europe, some countries still have their monarchies and I doubt anyone saying that the country would be better off if their royals had more power (instead of, for example, the EU) would get into serious trouble right away. Any British people here to answer this one? (Depends on the person who says it of course.)

Generally, I prefer stories where the characters react to new situations in a way that makes sense according to their background no matter if those reactions are the same ones I’d show or not.

[CupofJoe]

As a Brit I can't see anyone objecting to an anti-democracy story because we have a monarchy... The powers of the queen are so limited that they are only at best a mediating force on political ambitions - had to Google it but it was 1704 was the last time the Monarch [Queen Anne] vetoed the will of parliament and 1835 that Queen Victoria dissolved parliament. I think we like them as pretty but irrelevant people [sort of like a sports team that everyone can support].
Just as I think that democracy is the worst best form of government, I think that a UK style Monarchy is the best worst form of national leader... I have no complaints about our current monarch, she even seems to be developing a sense of humour if the Olympics opening ceremony was anything to go by "Ah... Mr Bond..." and we have Wills and Harry to look forward to [and not forgetting Queen Kate].
But for me it is a simple two fold answer to why fantasy is awash with Kings and Emperors. The first is that much of fantasy is still based in an dark age simulacrum of our world... there weren't many democracies in 7th Century Europe. The second is that a King can "Make it so" and the army marches... in a democracy there has to be lobbying and a debate and convincing arguments and the people think they have a right to be heard and then a vote...
For story writing Dictators are easier and better...

[Anders Ämting]

I doubt anyone will condemn you for portraying democracy as a less than perfectly efficient type of goverment when you have to be pretty damn naive not to notice that this is mostly true in real life as well. Democracies are nice to live in, but competent autocracies make the trains run on time.

If anything, portraying democracy as some kind of perfect utopia where everyone is happy and satisified is going to strike most people as unrealistic, I think.

If your book gets well-known enough for this to happen, good for you. Everyone’s going to buy a copy and see for themselves if this guy is really proposing something so outrageous or not.

Yeah, free publicity, pretty much. Still better than being ignored.

[TWErvin2]

No, Mindfire, I don't believe you would not be outright demonized and I don't foresee any media backlash. Off the top of my head, with all the SF/Fantasy novels out there, I cannot recall one political backlash/media. Why would there be one with your work?

There are plenty of examples where novels, fantasy or SF, have other forms of ruling/government, and 'democracy' isn't held up front and center as the best way. In Harry Turtledove's World War series (SF), the invaders see many of the nations of the world as they invade during the height of WW II, and they call democracy basically ruling by counting snouts, and see it as ineffective/inefficient. In truth, there are not any true democracies in the world that I know of, as true democracy would be basically mob rule.

As writers of fantasy, we develop the worlds, and how they're structured, including the forms of government or leadership. One doesn't need voting. It can be strongest rule, family/heritage, religious focus, god appointed, test of wisest or elder leadership, the person with the darkest hair in a group, or the tallest...doesn't matter. Whatever works. If it is logical within the context and scope of the story, the readers will accept it, or suspend disbelief.

My works have several forms of government/leadership. Sure, they've not been read by tens of thousands, but I've not had one reader comment or give me a hard time about having kings and the main character that serves one view what is another form of government (where representatives are voted upon) as not as very good of a way to make decisions, especially in time of conflict. Although not gone into in detail with some forms as others, depending on how/what the storyline never required, there are confederations, kingdoms and empires, blends of constitutional republics and theocracy, military rule/dictatorship, tribal chiefs and elders, theocracies, etc.

So, in answer to the last question in the OP. No, we don't need to (obliged) mirror current society's real world political values. A writer can if they desire to, but certainly not required.

[Mindfire]

Just for the benefit of all reading this (and for any law enforcement agency who might be reading) I am NOT anti-democracy. I just don't think it's quite as glorious as we (especially we in the USA) make it out to be. I think a dictatorship would be far superior IF it was run by perfectly wise, benevolent, and knowledgeable dictators. But since planet earth is fresh out of those, democracy it is.

[Ankari]

Should fantasy have more democracy? Are we obliged to mirror society's real world political values?

The Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind is pretty much propaganda for democracy. I HATED IT. I don't mind the concept of democracy itself, but I hated being reminded of the author's personal view on the subject. It wasn't even something you had to Inter Lineas Legite. He bludgeoned you with it with every page.

I don't think modern democracy is effective. Actually, modern democracy isn't even a democracy. To have a true democracy with modern populations would be extremely cumbersome. /tangentover.

I don't think you'll face backlash. I think that if you keep your personal viewpoints out of it, make it obvious that it is the characters' opinions, you'll be fine.

[CupofJoe]

Just for the benefit of all reading this (and for any law enforcement agency who might be reading) I am NOT anti-democracy. I just don't think it's quite as glorious as we (especially we in the USA) make it out to be. I think a dictatorship would be far superior IF it was run by perfectly wise, benevolent, and knowledgeable dictators. But since planet earth is fresh out of those, democracy it is.

A very wise move... just to be on the safe side...

[Penpilot]

I agree with pretty much what's been said above. I'll add if you want to argue the merits of one being better than the other, be sure your presenting strong points for both sides. Otherwise it becomes a straw man argument and it'll feel like preaching.

[Agran Velion]

If anyone is going object to your characters saying democracy is inefficient, I doubt they'll have read your book. Most people I've met who say things like "were totes a democracy and its the best' do not read much (and when they do, it isn't fantasy), whereas those who read are much more open to different ideas.

However, I say the best thing you can do is (although I HATE regurgitating already well known advice) is to show us that the democracy is inefficient, and not tell us. Instead of having a character comment on how it isn't working out, have him/her sit in on a session and observe the mob of people arguing and not making any progress, just like a real Congress political group!



So instead of

"The whole democracy thing was foolish. The mob would never agree on something, it would be easier to simply put a king in place."

Have

"I say we lower taxes!"
"No way, I earned that money fair and square"
"But we need to help pay for the ships lost in the storm!"
"Let them get a job and pay for those ships!"
"I say my fresh wheel of cheese should be declared the town's diety!"
"Shut up Bob!"


Well...you get the idea.