Democracy is on the march. In the not too distant past, all of Eastern Europe, Spain, Portugal, Taiwan, South Korea, and most of Latin America were governed by various unelected thugs, kleptocrats, murderous generals, and egomaniacal sociopaths. Now these places have elections, representative government, and freedom. But why is this so? Do we owe it all to Jimmy Carter and election monitors?

In fact, there is indeed something deeper going on. Democracy fulfills the universal desire of peoples to govern themselves. To be free men, not slaves. This yearning is evident in the velvet revolutions in Eastern Europe, the orange revolution of Ukraine, and the purple fingered defiance of brave Iraqis dodging mortar fire and death threats to wait in lines Jesse Jackson would characterize as election rigging if they had been in Ohio.

on the other hand, the yearnings of the human heart can be hard to measure. From all outward appearances, many peoples seem to prefer order and see democracy as messy. Give them a strong leader, bread on the table, and timely trains, and they will gladly give up this abstraction, democracy. While some yearn for Athens, others prefer Sparta.

The chairman, who yearns for nothing but a crash course on Robert’s rules of order, has called for a debate to settle the question:

Resolved: All Peoples Yearn for Democracy

The Debate will be held on Wednesday, February 16, 2004 at the University Club, 420 Summit Avenue, in Saint Paul. The Chancellor will preside over drinks beginning at seven o'clock p.m. The debate will begin at half past seven. While there is no dress code for attendance, gentlemen who wish to speak must wear a tie; ladies should adhere to a similar sartorial standard. For those gentlemen who arrive tieless yet wish to speak, fret not: the Purveyor of Ties will keep on hand at least one of his quite remarkable ties for just such an eventuality. Questions about debate caucus procedures or about the John Adams Society itself may be directed to the Chairman at 612-709-1168 or the Secretary at (612) 204-5615

If you would like to receive email announcements of upcoming debates, email the John Adams Society with your name, email address, and a simple statement requesting future "Whip Sheets" via email.