From Dr M. Alexander Ph.D.

J.G. Vassallo’s article is an excellent and thoughtful piece of writing (TMIS, 7 January). The only word I do not quite accept is the adjective “wiser”.

It is curiosity that leads to knowledge and, at a later stage, to wisdom. The masses of voting people are not showing much willingness to investigate for themselves the promises of candidates thus corrupting the electorate. Proving the statement of King Darius I of ancient Persia in the 4th century BC that the Greek idea of democracy leads to corruption of the people.

Madame Pompadour, the concubine of the then King of France, Louis XV, prior to the French Revolution, asked her political advisers, the Bishop Radominsky and the philosopher Melesherbes, one question: “Should the people fear or love their government?”

The Bishop answered: “They should fear the government. Only fear keeps them in order and makes them obey the law.”

The philosopher answered: “No, they should love the government. Love, as we all know, makes people blind. And blind people are easy to rule.”

At the height of the revolution later on, the Bishop managed to escape to his monastery in Poland. The French philosopher was executed on 21 April 1791.

How would the “wise” electorate answer this question today?

Michael Alexander

TA’ XBIEX