30 votes

Daniel Ortega says Nicaragua will no longer hold elections

15 comments

  1. [2]
    nukeman
    Link
    This is especially interesting, because just about every country holds elections (free or not), even the hardest of dictatorships. Straight up not holding elections is rare these days.

    This is especially interesting, because just about every country holds elections (free or not), even the hardest of dictatorships. Straight up not holding elections is rare these days.

    17 votes
    1. chocobean
      Link Parent
      Right? Even North Korea, China, Russia does. Even the smallest bit of dissent serves at least this one purpose, that they can't lie and say we all wanted this. People put their lives and freedom...

      Right? Even North Korea, China, Russia does.

      Nicaragua's last election in 2021 was widely disputed after Ortega detained opponents and business leaders and criminalized dissent.

      Even the smallest bit of dissent serves at least this one purpose, that they can't lie and say we all wanted this. People put their lives and freedom at risk, and terrible tragedy some lost theirs, but this is an achievement, to force a tyrant to no longer be able to pretend. And it forces other countries trying to do business with them to also no longer be able to pretend.

      7 votes
  2. Eric_the_Cerise
    Link
    Reading the comments from Ortega is bizarre. He's fighting a battle, trying to stop the opposition from seizing control of the country ... and apparently, he just realized that elections are one...

    Reading the comments from Ortega is bizarre. He's fighting a battle, trying to stop the opposition from seizing control of the country ... and apparently, he just realized that elections are one way they could do that...

    7 votes
  3. [12]
    crulife
    Link
    I think we should have two global rules that are enforced brutally: Nobody can be a leader for more than, say, 12 years in a row Nobody can be a leader after the age of, say, 70 And just simply...

    I think we should have two global rules that are enforced brutally:

    1. Nobody can be a leader for more than, say, 12 years in a row

    2. Nobody can be a leader after the age of, say, 70

    And just simply agree that if anyone fails in this, every country in the world wages war at them until the problem is fixed.

    It won't fix all problems but will prevent a lot of them.

    1 vote
    1. [11]
      stu2b50
      Link Parent
      Who enforces a “global” rule? God?

      Who enforces a “global” rule?

      God?

      4 votes
      1. [10]
        crulife
        Link Parent
        UN. I do realize this is not a realistic wish at this time of human history.

        UN. I do realize this is not a realistic wish at this time of human history.

        1 vote
        1. stu2b50
          Link Parent
          The UN isn’t a global government. Governments rule because they have a monopoly on violence. The UN does not have a monopoly on violence against the nations of the world and never has nor was...

          The UN isn’t a global government. Governments rule because they have a monopoly on violence. The UN does not have a monopoly on violence against the nations of the world and never has nor was designed to do so.

          10 votes
        2. [8]
          Eji1700
          Link Parent
          And if the UN is made up of a majority of countries who disagree with this rule?

          And if the UN is made up of a majority of countries who disagree with this rule?

          2 votes
          1. [7]
            DefinitelyNotAFae
            Link Parent
            They realize it's an unrealistic expectation. Idk why you're expecting realism?

            They realize it's an unrealistic expectation. Idk why you're expecting realism?

            3 votes
            1. [6]
              Eji1700
              Link Parent
              It's not about realism. It's about authority. How is this any different from some global colonialist government?

              It's not about realism. It's about authority. How is this any different from some global colonialist government?

              1 vote
              1. [5]
                DefinitelyNotAFae
                Link Parent
                Because it's a fantasy? "Man it sure would be nice" Idk I just think it's weird to argue with someone who's basically like "I want a perfect government system (IMO) and have an unrealistic...

                Because it's a fantasy? "Man it sure would be nice"

                Idk I just think it's weird to argue with someone who's basically like "I want a perfect government system (IMO) and have an unrealistic mechanism for that" that this is an unrealistic enforcement mechanism.

                I get why you think it's a bad mechanism, I just don't think that's relevant to the "I wish" vibe. But just my opinion.

                3 votes
                1. [4]
                  Eji1700
                  Link Parent
                  Because it's weird to me how many people wish for authoritarian regimes?

                  Because it's weird to me how many people wish for authoritarian regimes?

                  2 votes
                  1. [3]
                    DefinitelyNotAFae
                    Link Parent
                    sigh they're not. Or at the least you're jumping to a lot of conclusions to get there. But if you insist on that read, I'm not going to convince you.

                    sigh they're not. Or at the least you're jumping to a lot of conclusions to get there. But if you insist on that read, I'm not going to convince you.

                    1 vote
                    1. [2]
                      Eji1700
                      Link Parent
                      Just because you agree with it doesn’t make it non authoritarian. “Brutally enforced” rules is damn near the definition. I’m well aware that’s not what people really mean, and I’m also well aware...

                      Just because you agree with it doesn’t make it non authoritarian. “Brutally enforced” rules is damn near the definition.

                      I’m well aware that’s not what people really mean, and I’m also well aware “well it’s okay when I agree with it” is how a lot of atrocity and bad decisions are justified. Be passive aggressive about it if you want, but I think people should reflect better on their goals and how they want to achieve them

                      1 vote
                      1. DefinitelyNotAFae
                        Link Parent
                        I didn't say I agreed with it and while I cannot tell which "you" you mean, either assumption is equally indicative of my point. Hence "I'm not going to convince you" and I don't particularly care...

                        I didn't say I agreed with it and while I cannot tell which "you" you mean, either assumption is equally indicative of my point. Hence "I'm not going to convince you" and I don't particularly care to.

                        But again, maybe I'm wrong and they literally want that. Doesn't seem like it, personally. Either way, still think this was the least charitable interpretation/assumption.

                        2 votes