The disciples of the Buddha often argued heatedly over religious and political issues.  Usually, each disciple had a strong opinion which he defended with all the ferocity a pacifist could muster.  One day, however, the disciples came to the Master in great befuddlement.
    "Master," they said, "we have recently heard of a new political system called 'democracy.'  Under this political system, it is said, the common person has a voice in government.  However, the only kind of government we know anything about is monarchy.  Some kings are a little less bloodthirsty than others.  Some starve the peasants a little less.  But apart from that, there isn't much to choose from.  This democracy thing sounds like it has potential.  Do you know anything about it?"
   The Buddha smiled in the way Buddhas do and answered with a parable in the way Buddhas do ...

    Once upon a time, there was a village that owned an elephant.  The elephant was the pride and joy of the village.  One day, the elephant got sick, and the villagers realized that they needed to find a veterinarian to care for it.  So they met to discuss how to do this.
   "We want the best vet in the land to take care of our elephant," said one villager.
   Then a wealthy merchant spoke up.  "Well, you can choose between two veterinarians," he said.
   "Why only two?" asked the villagers.
    "Because for the last century, there have only been two families providing all the veterinarians for this village   They're the only ones who are capable of doing it.  And it's good to have two, because that way, you have a choice.  It's democratic."
   "Why not three or four then?" asked some of the villagers.  "That would be even more choice."
    "That would be too much choice," said the merchant.  "Two is just right.  Look, you'd be fools to choose anyone else.  Believe me, I know what's best for you.."
   Some of the villagers were skeptical, but the merchant was very rich, and none of them wanted to be fools
   "Ok," said the villagers.  "Can you tell us about these veterinarians?"
   "Well, they're both blind," said the merchant.
    "That doesn't sound good," said a villager.  "How can they treat our elephant if they can't look at her?  Say, I know a good vet who isn't blind.  What do you think?"
   "That has already been settled," intoned the merchant.   "A hundred years ago, in fact.  Don't waste your time on other vets.  They can't do the job."
   "All right, then," said the villagers.  "Let's vote."
   "Not so fast," said the merchant.  "You can't just vote."
   "We can't?  Why not?"
   "Couple of reasons," said the merchant.  "First of all, you aren't smart enough to choose wisely."
   "You mean, even after you cut the choices down to two?"
   "Exactly.  And the second reason is that it wouldn't be fair."
   "Not fair?" squeaked the villagers.  "How not fair?"
   "Because some parts of the village would have more influence than others.  For example, East Village is just teeming with people.  You wouldn't want them to have disproportionate influence, would you?"
   "Well, we don't know ..."
   "Whereas, over in West Village, where I live (and where people don't teem), the folks are more sober and thoughtful.  Wouldn't it be awful if our voice were drowned out by the Easterners."
   "Then what shall we do?"
   "We will vote for representatives to vote for the veterinarian for us.  They will be smarter and more responsible than you are.  And a vote from West Village will count 500 times as much as a vote from East Village."
   "Gee, that sounds Byzantine, not to mention elitist," said the villagers.  "Is that all?"
   "Oh, one more thing," continued the merchant.  "There are some people who, um, shouldn't vote at all, if you know what I mean.  So, when the Untouchables show up to vote, just tell them the polls are closed or something."

   And so the villagers agreed to choose between the two blind vets.  But then a funny thing happened.  They couldn't decide between the two.  Some wanted this one, and some wanted that one.  Since the villagers were having such a hard time deciding, the two blind vets decided to push the issue.  They converged on the elephant, each declaring himself the people's choice.
   The first blind vet rushed up to the elephant and grasped a tusk.
   "Ah!" he declared.  "The elephant is like ivory.  So, let's kill it, sell the ivory, and make a bundle!"
    Now, the elephant already had a Keeper who took care of its nonveterinary needs.  The second blind vet, on hearing the first, appealed to the Keeper.
   "Hey, don't let him kill that elephant for ivory!" said the second blind vet.
    "Hold your horses!  Um, pardon the expression." cried the first blind vet indignantly.  "Butt out, Keeper!  This is a veterinary matter, and you have no say in it."
   At that point, the second blind vet reached the elephant and encountered the trunk.
   "Wow!" he exclaimed.  "The elephant is like a log-hauler.  I'm going to use it to log the bejeebers out of every forest in sight!  Er, so to speak."
    "Hey!" yelped the first blind vet, turning to the Keeper.  "Stop that guy!  Get his hands off my elephant!"
   "Ok, ok!" shouted the Keeper.  "Now, back off until this is resolved.  Both of you!"
   "No way am I going to let this bozo steal my elephant!" declared the first blind vet.
   At that point, several of the first blind vet's goons stepped forward and shot the elephant dead.

   His parable finished, the Buddha smiled benignly.  "And that," he said, "is how democracy works."  It is probably coincidence that democracy took so long to reach the foothills of the Himalayas.