Go Figure

Democracy is a complex, fragile thing.

I have been following a 'debate' in/on a medium, that revolves around protagonists that I would roughly say fall under the (if they can ever be fair) categories of 'Liberal elite' and 'educated Right'.

The problem seems to have been the former rather see themselves (and in many ways I'd stick myself in a liberal camp, if not elite, much as I might on occasion be in the Right camp, if not too educated) as those who speak for the majority and/or know what's best for them. The other side I rather think feel the same way, but usually at least err on not being quite so smug in their presumption of pedestal power. Or at least acknowledge the value of personal choice.

This post is merely to share some info that was brought to bear to a LE advocate claiming that most of the population was now onside with 'their' way of looking at things.

Now it is just newspapers, but I have to say this list was... interesting, and surely would give anyone in Islington with a modicum of analytical grasp some pause for thought, at least when it comes to claims of representing the majority:

ABC's circulation statistics:

News of the World -- 3,446,476
The Sun -- 3,213,756
The Daily Mail -- 2,365,499
The Mail on Sunday -- 2,348,982
Daily Mirror -- 1,584,742
Sunday Mirror -- 1,451,980
The Sunday Times -- 1,244,218
The Daily Telegraph -- 890,973
Daily Express -- 814,921
Daily Star -- 803,726
Sunday Express -- 727,439
The People -- 722,148
The Times -- 654,482
The Sunday Telegraph -- 644,828
Sunday Mail -- 512,115
Daily Star - Sunday -- 485,415
The Observer -- 472,252
Financial Times -- 441,219
Daily Record -- 412,332
Sunday Post -- 410,804
The Guardian -- 367,546
Evening Standard -- 291,150
The Independent -- 251,470
Independent on Sunday -- 213,566
Sunday Sport -- 92,912

Now, am I comfortable with the notion that this country should be run be the dictates of those who 'write' for or 'read' the News of the World? Not really, but no more than I am by those who only read the Guardian or Indy shaping key policy either.

That's where this democracy thing gets tricky.