I'm losing my faith that capitalism is compatible with democracy in any way. The blatant corruption of all mainstream political parties across all western "democracies" is a core part of that.

[–] mindlesscrollyparrot@discuss.tchncs.de 16 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Given that the alternative was "authoritarian rule under certain, unspecified circumstances", what does "democracy" even mean here? Was it presented as a binary choice? That is misleading.

[–] Quacksalber@sh.itjust.works 16 points 1 week ago

I guess the original question was the typical "Do you trust the government" question. And with conservative governments presiding over a slow decline in living standards while doing nothing to challenge the status quo, it is no wonder they don't trust the government.

[–] leftytighty@slrpnk.net 3 points 1 week ago

I couldn't tell from a quick read of the article (and couldn't find an English version of the study) but it didn't seem like it offered democracy and authoritarianism as the only options.

As (an older person) who leans anarchist and has lived through many problems with democracy I agree with the concerns of these young people. However, my alternative isn't authoritarian rule.

Yes people can dispute the practicality of anarchism, or grossly misunderstand it, I'd disagree with them, but point being there are good if not idealistic alternatives to democracy.

[–] Hotznplotzn@lemmy.sdf.org 11 points 1 week ago (2 children)

This is a very weird framing of this study. The original study (which is linked in the article) is in German. Those who don't speak German will find a useful translation provider, I provide the study's summary literal translation:

>Young people: EU and democracy are good, but reforms are needed

57% prefer democracy to any other form of government - 39% think that the EU does not function particularly democratically

Young Europeans want change - 53% criticize the EU for being too preoccupied with trivialities instead of focusing on the essentials

Cost of living, defense against external threats and better conditions for businesses should be priorities for the EU

Only 42% think that the EU is one of the three most powerful global political players

Among others, the study also says (again, a direct translation, I am not paraphrasing):

48% of young Europeans believe that democracy in their country is under threat, compared to 61% in Germany. Two thirds rate their country's membership of the EU as positive. At the same time, 53% of young people criticize the fact that the EU is too often concerned with minor issues. Half of 16 to 26-year-olds think the EU is a good idea, but very poorly implemented.

I don't say that everything is perfect, but the whole study paints a completely different picture than this article - and especially its headline - appears to suggest.

[Edit my comments for clarity, translation has not been edited.]

[–] PhilipTheBucket@ponder.cat 4 points 1 week ago

I knew it. I strongly suspected that the actual feeling "We love democracy and our country is losing its democracy and we don't like that" was being summarized as "we don't like democracy anymore" for whatever bullshit reasons, I guess I am sad but not surprised to hear it confirmed.

[–] Akasazh@feddit.nl 2 points 1 week ago

Thanks for this, much appreciated

[–] krigo666@lemmy.world 8 points 1 week ago

"Democracy is a device that insures we shall be governed no better than we deserve."

George Bernard Shaw

[–] goatbeard@beehaw.org 6 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Bourgeois liberal democracy

[–] FundMECFSResearch@lemmy.blahaj.zone 5 points 1 week ago

I’ve lost faith in the so called elite controlled “democracy”.

I haven’t lost faith in rule by the people ie. democracy. I just don’t believe its compatible with heirarchies.

Ie. I’ve become an anarchist. So arguably I believe in democracy way more now.

[–] Opinionhaver@feddit.uk 4 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I’d love to see how much this correlates with compulsive social media usage. If you keep telling people from a young age that the world is about to end, at some point, they’ll start believing it.

[–] rumimevlevi@lemmings.world 2 points 1 week ago

It correlates with politicians always lying and police brutality against protests that really threten the elite interests