08 February 2008

Hmmmm . . .

David Shearman is emeritus professor of medicine and Hon Visiting Fellow, Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences, University of Adelaide and Hon Secretary, Doctors for the Environment Australia. He is coauthor, with Joseph Wayne Smith, of two books: The Climate Change Challenge and the Failure of Democracy.

He has written an essay discussing whether democracy is the right tool to deal with global warming. His words are unnerving, at least to me:

"Liberal democracy is sweet and addictive and indeed in the most extreme case, the USA, unbridled individual liberty overwhelms many of the collective needs of the citizens . . ."

"There must be open minds to look critically at liberal democracy. Reform must involve the adoption of structures to act quickly regardless of some perceived liberties."


Hmmm . . .

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