Mises Report posted the following:
Why Representative Democracy Is Obsolete
April 25, 2026
If we were to identify the most sacrosanct dogma of Western modernity—thce one that no one questions—it would undoubtedly be representative democracy. We automatically assume that it is the best form of government that humanity has ever invented—a sort of “end of history” method of governance and the ultimate political achievement.
Representative Democracy Is Not Democratic
The first problem is conceptual and fatal: Representative democracy is simply not democratic. One person cannot perfectly represent another’s freedom, desires, needs, or individuality. …
In Liberalism, Pascal Salin argues that the majority rule on which this system is based—“as if one man could be represented by another man without losing his identity”—is a conceptual aberration that is indefensible to the liberal. …
A Structurally-Irresponsible System …
Remaining within Salin’s line of thought, he identified another significant limitation of representative democracy: the dilution or absence of identifiable, accountable parties. In liberal thought, freedom is inseparable from responsibility. …
A Technological Anachronism
The representative model is not only philosophically questionable; it is also a relic of the past. What is presented as the most advanced form of political organization is, in reality, the least-worst of the technical solutions devised by 18th- and 19th-century societies to make mass democracy functional. https://mises.org/mises-wire/why-representative-democracy-obsolete
Modern so-called representative democracy certainly does not represent views of the governed.
A major problem is that those who through money, press coverage, speaking style, etc. get elected generally do not meet the biblical criteria for leaders.
19 Listen now to my voice; I will give you counsel, and God will be with you: Stand before God for the people, so that you may bring the difficulties to God. 20 And you shall teach them the statutes and the laws, and show them the way in which they must walk and the work they must do. 21 Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. (Exodus 18:19-21)
2 “The Spirit of the Lord spoke by me,
And His word was on my tongue.
3 The God of Israel said,
The Rock of Israel spoke to me:
‘He who rules over men must be just,
Ruling in the fear of God. (2 Samuel 23:2-3)
Few politicians endorse His laws and statutes and do not possess covetousness.
While some think representative democracy may be the best system that people came up with, a while back Daily Reckoning published the following:
Democracy vs. Monarchy
Today we trample sacred ground… trumpet a message of heresy… and offend the pieties. For we challenge the cherished and soothing assumptions of democracy.
In 2001, academic Hans-Hermann Hoppe scribbled a book bearing the soaring title Democracy: The God That Failed. Hoppe’s work is a dart leveled against that holiest of secular divinities.
Hoppe’s primary tort against democracy?
It wastes. It exhausts its capital. It forever takes the short view. …
Democracy, in Hoppe’s regard, “wants it now.” It is a spendthrift, a profligate, a child at large in a candy store.
As the drunkard cannot see beyond the next drink… democracy cannot see past the next election.
The problem, says Hoppe, is that democratic leaders do not own the machinery of government. It is theirs on temporary loan. Thus the democratic politician is a mere placeholder. …
But because a leader under democracy does not own the government apparatus, argues Hoppe, he has no incentive to maximize its value. Instead, he tends to deplete it. His limited time horizon forces him toward immediate gratification.
That is, he must get while the getting is there to be gotten. …
And who, may we inquire, has ever run a rental through a wash?
Here Hoppe applies the theory to democratic government:
It must be regarded as unavoidable that public-government ownership results in continual capital consumption. Instead of maintaining or even enhancing the value of the government estate, as a king would do, a president (the government’s temporary caretaker or trustee) will use up as much of the government resources as quickly as possible, for what he does not consume now, he may never be able to consume… For a president, unlike for a king, moderation offers only disadvantages.
Hoppe speaks of a king.
Unlike democracy, Hoppe contends, monarchy takes the long view. The monarch owns the apparatus of government. As will his heirs. So he naturally inclines to policies that increase the value of his property over time. …
In brief, monarchy may be better with money than democracy. It is a superior steward of wealth — at least by this theory.
Once again, Hoppe:
While a king is by no means opposed to debt, he is constrained in this “natural” inclination by the fact that as the government’s private owner, he and his heirs are considered personally liable for the payment of all government debts (he can literally go bankrupt, or be forced by creditors to liquidate government assets). …
In distinct contrast, Hoppe argues, we find the democratic president:
A presidential government caretaker is not held liable for debts incurred during his tenure of office. Rather, his debts are considered “public,” to be repaid by future (equally nonliable) governments.
Perhaps this explains — pandemic aside — why the national debt of the United States runs to some $31 trillion?
It is a capital fact beyond all dispute …
Hoppe’s book is actually no call for monarchy. As the author himself states at the onset — “I am not a monarchist and the following is not a defense of monarchy.”
His primary purpose is to diagnose an illness — not to prescribe a cure. 09/10/22 https://dailyreckoning.com/democracy-vs-monarchy/
That does not mean that monarchs cannot be selfish (pretty much all humans are) or short-sighted, but there is a greater tendency for monarchs to think for more than let’s say, four years or past an election.
The fact of USA debt is consistent with some of the flaws of its type of ‘democracy.’
Although precisely who said the following is related to voting and democracy can debated, there is truth in the statements:
“When the people discover they can vote themselves money [welfare], that will herald the end of the republic.” – Benjamin Franklin*
‘Bread and Circuses’ is the cancer of democracy, the fatal disease for which there is no cure. Democracy often works beautifully at first. But once a state extends the franchise to every warm body, be he producer or parasite, that day marks the beginning of the end of the state. For when the plebs discover that they can vote themselves bread and circuses without limit and that the productive members of the body politic cannot stop them, they will do so, until the state bleeds to death, or in its weakened condition the state succumbs to an invader – the barbarians enter Rome. – Robert A. Heinlein
That said, the Bible shows that a highly indebted nation will be taken over:
5 “Indeed, because he transgresses by wine, He is a proud man, And he does not stay at home. Because he enlarges his desire as hell, And he is like death, and cannot be satisfied, He gathers to himself all nations And heaps up for himself all peoples. 6 “Will not all these take up a proverb against him, And a taunting riddle against him, and say, ‘Woe to him who increases What is not his — how long? And to him who loads himself with many pledges’? 7 Will not your creditors rise up suddenly? Will they not awaken who oppress you? And you will become their booty. 8 Because you have plundered many nations, All the remnant of the people shall plunder you, Because of men’s blood And the violence of the land and the city, And of all who dwell in it. (Habakkuk 2:5-8)
Actually, with an admitted debt of almost $39 trillion dollars and plans to increase that much further, the USA has increased pledges more than any nation in the history of the planet. And on a per capita basis, the United Kingdom is one of the most indebted nations on the earth itself.
The above prophecy in Habakkuk will be fulfilled at the time of the end (cf. “The message was true, but the appointed time was long…in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come”, Daniel 10:1,14). Daniel 8:19, 11:27, 29,35 uses the same Hebrew term for “appointed time” as Habakkuk 2:3, while Daniel 10, using a different term, ties the latter days to the time in Daniel 8:19. Habakkuk 2 was not fulfilled in its entirety, anciently. Also, it makes little sense that Habakkuk would be directed towards the modern nation of Israel as it does not have enemy creditors. It must be a nation or group of nations with some prominence at the appointed time of the end. As far as “violence of the land” as a contributing factor, this would seem to include crime, military missions, and perhaps riots/civil unrest, but might it also include promotion of violent sports? Is the USA government not giving shameful counsel regarding matters such as homosexuality and abortion?
Notice also the following from the Commentary on Habakkuk from the ancient Dead Sea Scrolls (roughly 2000 years old; translated in the 1950s by F.F. Bruce):
God commanded Habakkuk to write the things that were coming upon the last generation, but the fulfilment of the epoch he did not make known to him. (1Q p Hab. vii 1-5)
While ancient commentaries like this are NOT scripture, this particular one shows that those who understood the Hebrew language around 2000 years ago believed that Habakkuk’s words had NOT then been fulfilled and were for the time of the end.
Hence, as the largest debtor nation in the history of humanity, it should be clear that democracy will not save the USA.
It should also be pointed out that in Europe, they will turn to the rule of a dictator (Revelation 13:1-10, 17:12-13) who will one day destroy the USA (Daniel 11:39) and its British-descended allies (cf. Daniel 8:25-25; Isaiah 17:3a)–hence neither democracy of the British monarchy will be able to save those nations.
So, what is the solution?
While national repentance would work, that is not expected.
Jesus warned:
21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened. (Matthew 24:21-22)
So, the solution?
Well, other than personal repentance (which all should do), the solution is the good news of the coming KINGDOM OF GOD! Here is some information from our free online booklet: The Gospel of the Kingdom of God:
The Bible teaches that a utopian society, called the Kingdom of God, will replace human governments (Daniel 2:44; Revelation 11:15; 19:1–21).
When Jesus began His public ministry, He began by preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God. Here is what Mark reported:
14 Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:14–15).
The term gospel, comes from the Greek word transliterated as euangelion, and means “good message” or “good news.” In the New Testament, the English word “kingdom,” related to God’s kingdom, is mentioned approximately 149 times in the NKJV and 151 in the Douay Rheims Bible. It comes from the Greek word transliterated as basileia which signifies the rule or realm of royalty.
Human kingdoms, as well as God’s kingdom, have a king (Revelation 17:14), they cover a geographic area (Revelation 11:15), they have rules (Isaiah 2:3–4; 30:9), and they have subjects (Luke 13:29).
Here is the first public teaching from Jesus that Matthew records:
23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom (Matthew 4:23).
Matthew also records:
35 Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom (Matthew 9:35).
The New Testament shows that Jesus will reign forever:
33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end (Luke 1:33).
So, according to the Bible, the solution to the world’s problems will not be democracy, but a divine monarchy.
More about the Gospel of the Kingdom of God from the Old and New Testaments is in the free online booklet: The Gospel of the Kingdom of God.
Some additional items of possibly related interest may include:
Should a Christian Vote? This article gives some of the Biblical rationale on this subject. Would Jesus vote for president/prime minister? Is voting in the Bible? This is a subject Christians need to understand. A video of related interest is available titled: Should Christians Vote? Another video is Biden, Trump, and the Bible.
HABAKKUK Here is a link to the article Commentary on Habakkuk and the End of the United States. God gave Habakkuk a message on living by faith. Did God give a prophecy concerning debt and the destruction of the United States? This article covers the entire Book of Habakkuk. Here is a link to a related sermon: Habakkuk: Faith, USA’s End, & Jesus’ Return.
Is God Calling You? This booklet discusses topics including calling, election, and selection. If God is calling you, how will you respond? Here is are links to related sermons: Christian Election: Is God Calling YOU? and Predestination and Your Selection; here is a message in Spanish: Me Está Llamando Dios Hoy? A short animation is also available: Is God Calling You?
Christian Repentance Do you know what repentance is? Is it really necessary for salvation? Two related sermons about this are also available: Real Repentance and Real Christian Repentance.
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Who are the 144,000?
USA in Prophecy: The Strongest Fortresses Can you point to scriptures, like Daniel 11:39, that point to the USA in the 21st century? This article does. Two related sermon are available: Identifying the USA and its Destruction in Prophecy and Do these 7 prophesies point to the end of the USA?
Who is the King of the West? Why is there no Final End-Time King of the West in Bible Prophecy? Is the United States the King of the West? Here is a version in the Spanish language: ¿Quién es el Rey del Occidente? ¿Por qué no hay un Rey del Occidente en la profecía del tiempo del fin? A related sermon is also available: The Bible, the USA, and the King of the West.
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies for the Great Monarch point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States? In the Spanish language check out ¿Quién es el Rey del Norte? Here are links to two related videos: The King of the North is Alive: What to Look Out For and The Future King of the North.
The Great Monarch: Biblical and Greco-Roman Catholic Prophecies Is the ‘Great Monarch’ of Greco-Roman Catholic prophecies endorsed or condemned by the Bible? Two sermons of related interest are also available: Great Monarch: Messiah or False Christ? and Great Monarch in 50+ Beast Prophecies.
Jesus Returning, David’s Throne, and the Stone of Destiny Will Jesus return to the throne of David? What about the Stone of Scone? What is the Lia Fail? Here are links to related videos: Stone of Destiny and Jesus’ Return and Lia Fail and the British Monarchy.
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God This free online pdf booklet has answers many questions people have about the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and explains why it is the solution to the issues the world is facing. Here are links to four related sermons: The Fantastic Gospel of the Kingdom of God!, The World’s False Gospel, The Gospel of the Kingdom: From the New and Old Testaments, and The Kingdom of God is the Solution.
Lost Tribes and Prophecies: What will happen to Australia, the British Isles, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and the United States of America? Where did those people come from? Can you totally rely on DNA? Do you really know what will happen to Europe and the English-speaking peoples? What about the peoples of Africa, Asia, South America, and the islands? This free online book provides scriptural, scientific, historical references, and commentary to address those matters. Here are links to related sermons: Lost tribes, the Bible, and DNA; Lost tribes, prophecies, and identifications; 11 Tribes, 144,000, and Multitudes; Israel, Jeremiah, Tea Tephi, and British Royalty; Gentile European Beast; Royal Succession, Samaria, and Prophecies; Asia, Islands, Latin America, Africa, and Armageddon; When Will the End of the Age Come?; Rise of the Prophesied King of the North; Christian Persecution from the Beast; WWIII and the Coming New World Order; and Woes, WWIV, and the Good News of the Kingdom of God.