Democratic Socialism is simply Totalitarianism that allows you the illusion of a voice in the matter.

— A.E. Samaan

If the surprise outcome of the recent UK referendum - on whether to leave or remain in the European Union - teaches us anything, it is that supposedly worthy displays of democracy in action can actually do more harm than good. Witness a nation now more divided; an intergenerational schism in the making; both a governing and opposition party torn to shreds from the inside; infinitely more complex issues raised than satisfactory solutions provided. It begs the question 'Was it really all worth it' ?

— Alex Morritt
antagonismantagonisticausteritybetter-inbetter-offblameblame-gameboris-johnsonbreak-upbreaking-freebreaking-rulesbreaking-upbreakupbreakupsbrexitbritainbritishbritish-historybritish-peoplebrusselsbudget-cutscampaign-contributionscampaign-promisescampaigningcampaignscapitalismchoiceschoices-and-consequenceschoices-based-on-faithchoiceschoices-you-makeclash-of-civilizationsclashesco-operate-leadersco-operationcollaborationcollaborativecomplexitycomplexity-and-informationconfrontationconfrontationalcontrolcontrollingconvictionconvictioncooperationcrossroadscultural-diversitycultural-identitycurrencycurrency-tradingdangerdangerous-liaisonsdangerous-mindsdangerous-worlddavid-camerondebatedebatedebatesdeceitdeceitdecision-makingdecisiondecisionsdecisions-in-lifedemocracydemocracy-criticismdemocracy-gone-wrongdemocracy-votingdeprivationdevolutiondevolvedisasterdisasterdiscorddisenchantmentdisenfranchiseddisengagementdivisiondivisionsdivisions-in-societydivisivenessdivorceeconomic-collapseeconomic-crisiseconomics-societyeconomyeducationeducationalelection-promiseselection-resultselectionsemploymentemployment-lawsempoweringempowermentenemy-of-the-stateenemyenglandenglishenmityenmityerrorerrorseueuroeuro-euroscepticeuropeaneuropean-civilizationeuropean-economic-areaeuropean-historyeuropean-imperialismeuropean-unioneuropeanseuroscepticismfascismfascism-in-europefearfearfriendshipgeneration-gapgenerationsgoing-it-alonegrowthgrowth-ideologyharmfulhistorianshistory-repeating-itselfhospitalsidentityidentity-confusionidentity-crisisidentity-politicsimmigrationinclusioninclusiveinspirationalintegrationintrospectionintrospectiveintrospectiveirishissuesjobsjobseekingjudgement-dayjudgementleadershipleadership-contestleadershipleadership-stylesleft-behindleft-winglessonslessons-for-manlessons-learnedlessons-learned-in-lifelessons-learntlessons-of-lifelieslies-politicslies-we-tell-ourselveslife-challengeslife-changinglife-changing-eventslife-changinglittle-englandlittle-englandermistakesmistakesnational-identitynational-securitynationalismneighborsneighboursnew-dawnnew-daynorthern-irelandoutcomepeace-makingpeace-movementpeace-of-mindpeacepersuasionpersuasivenessphilosophypoliticalpolitical-commentarypolitical-partiespolitical-philosophypolitical-quandarypoliticalpoliticianspoliticianspoliticianspoliticians-tradegypolitics-observationpoliticspoor-choicespovertypoverty-alleviationpoverty-and-politicspoverty-inequalitypovertypowerpower-of-thoughtspower-of-wordspowerfulprosperityprosperityprotectprotectionquotabilityquotablequotableof-the-dayabout-liferaceracismracism-and-cultureracismreferendumreferendumsreformreformersregressionregretregretregrets-in-liferemainremainresultresultsresultsright-pathright-wingright-wing-politicsrightssafeguardsafetyscepticalscepticismschoolsschools-of-thoughtscotlandscottishsecurityself-harmself-harmerself-inflictedself-inflicted-miseryself-inflicted-painseparationseparation-and-unionseparation-anxietyseparation-of-powersseparationssovreignsovreigntysquabblesquabblingstatus-quostrongerstrongersurprisesurprisestake-backtake-back-controltariffsteacherteachingteachingsteam-buildingteam-spiritteamworkterrorismtorn-aparttorn-from-the-inside-outtorytory-partytrying-timesukunited-kingdomunityunity-of-all-peopleunityvotevote-for-the-truthvote-leavevote-remainvotersvoteswaleswar-on-terrorwarningwarningwarningswealth-creationwelshworthworth-itworthwhileyouthful-optimism

I also hold a settling of questions by the referendum to be an unsatisfactory procedure, because there are no simple political questions which can be answered merely by Yes and No. The masses are also more prone even than Parliaments to be led away by heterodox opinions, and to be swayed by vigorous ranting. It is impossible to formulate a wise internal or external policy in a popular assembly.

— Theodor Herzl