Though many of Luo Lei\u2019s and Cheng Cheng\u2019s actions throughout the class monitor elections process were definitely not ethically sound, it was in no doubt a strong example of democracy. The documentary Please Vote for Me challenges many of our notions about democracy, especially as the best mode of governance. Even though many aspects of the democratic system is flawed, is it still a preferable alternative to a dictatorship? Most likely. Despite the high degree of involvement from all of the candidates\u2019 parents and the boys\u2019 collective use of their classmates to ridicule the other candidates and dissuade them from participating in the election, the democratic process has undoubtedly taught them all (especially Luo Lei as the winer) the importance of appealing to their base and maintaining a good rapport with their constituents. Being that another election will be held a year later, Luo Lei\u2019s victory does not provide him with a blank check to do as he pleases with the reins of power. His next year as class monitor cannot possibly be the same as his last two, because the newly-instituted democratic process will serve as a check upon his familiar authoritarian tendencies. While many of the candidates\u2019 actions may fall under the Machiavellian principle of using any means necessary to preserve the security of the state, the democratic process provides stringent parameters for the candidates\u2019 actions and will do so in Luo Lei\u2019s next term as class monitor. While democracy has not turned the kids into perfect people, it will definitely change them for the better.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Though many of Luo Lei\u2019s and Cheng Cheng\u2019s actions throughout the class monitor elections process were definitely not ethically sound, it was in no doubt a strong example of democracy. The documentary Please Vote for Me challenges many of our … Continue reading