Sharpe's Opinion

Riots Are Not Democracy

Blue Eyes at his absolute best.

Democracy is not simply a case of majority rule. In a democracy even people with unpleasant and unpopular views are rightly free to express them. People whose views are so out of line with the prevailing consensus that they could never hope to win a popular vote are still free to argue their point of view until they’re blue in the face. Minorities of one should not be prevented from airing their eccentric or far-out opinions.

But politely arguing one’s corner is not the same as bringing thousands of thugs in to town to break stuff. I may not be a Trotskyite, a Marxist or an anti-capitalist but I am happy to hear their arguments. I am not happy for them to come in to my city to cause chaos and hurt people. I may not agree with the aims or process of the G20 summit but I will defend the government’s right to hold such a pointless conference without the metropolis going up in smoke.

I have nothing to add.