Prabhupāda: When the destiny of the people are to be controlled, there must be very, very intelligent man. That is Vedic civilization. There is standard aims and objects on which the people should be trained up. That is varṇāśrama-dharma. Viṣṇur ārādhana, worshiping Viṣṇu. This is the ultimate aim.
So the whole society is divided into brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya, śūdra, and brahmacārī, gṛhastha, vānaprastha, sannyāsa—departmental—and they are trained up. But the aim is viṣṇur ārādhana. But they have no idea at the present moment. Viṣṇur ārādhana, he has no knowledge. But the civilization begins on this point. Human being means he's meant for viṣṇur ārādhana. Otherwise, what is the difference between dogs and human being? The Western people, they do not know. They simply think that dog lies down on the floor, on the road . . . "We have got nice, best apartment. Therefore you are civilized."
So that is their defect. They are trying to improve the condition of sleeping, eating. That's all. That is advancement of civilization. But that is not advancement of civilization. Advancement of civilization means to understand Viṣṇu, how to please Him, how to go back to Him, go to the spiritual world. This is advancement of civilization. Yad gatvā na nivartante tad dhāma paramaṁ mama (BG 15.6). They do not know all these things. Therefore they have been described as śva-viḍ-varāhoṣṭra-kharaiḥ saṁstutaḥ puruṣaḥ paśuḥ (SB 2.3.19). All these men are exactly like dogs, hogs, camel and asses. So by their vote, by the votes of dogs, hogs, camel and asses, another big ass, big dog will be on the government. So what, how does he know, how to govern? Do you think if you make a dog king, it will be good government. Or a camel king, it will be good government?
So it is happening so. The dogs, hogs, camels and asses, they are voting. Another big camel, another big dog is on the governmental head. How can you expect good government? After all, he's a dog, hog and camel. How can you expect good government from him? Instead of a petty dog, if you enthrone a very big dog . . . what is the big dog? Does it mean the condition will improve? That is the position now. Just like what is this Nixon? He's a big dog. That's all. And therefore now people are accusing him. What is the condition now?
Satsvarūpa: It's just dragging, dragging on. Now he's become sick. He's ill. He's in the hospital.
Prabhupāda: He must be. So many attacks. How he can tolerate? He's in the post. This is happening.
Kṛṣṇa-bhāminī: This idea of democracy came at a time in French history called the Period of Enlightenment, and it was introduced by . . .
Prabhupāda: Hmm? Democracy?
Haṁsadūta: Democracy was first introduced in an age which they call the Age of Enlightenment in French history.
Prabhupāda: Yes.
Kṛṣṇa-bhāminī: The idea was that everyone should be pleased, that everyone should take . . .
Prabhupāda: No, where is the . . . in France, everyone is pleased? (chuckles) That is the imagination. You see? Vox populi, people's government. People, generally, general people, they are fools and rascals. How a government of fools and rascals can improve? It's not possible. They're ignorant. Abodha-jāta. They have no knowledge.
The knowledge of eating, sleeping, mating, defending, that is animal knowledge. Everyone knows it. How to eat, nobody requires any education. How to sleep, nobody requires any education. How to have sex life, nobody requires any education. How to defend, nobody requires education. They are not subject matter of education. Everyone knows it, how to do it. The modern education means they are on this subject matter. Just like that rascal, Freud?
Haṁsadūta: Freud.
Prabhupāda: He has written a big philosophy on sex life. Does it require any education? Anyone knows how to use sex life. And he has written big book. Similarly, defense also: they are making big, big arrangements, atomic bomb. "I am making atomic bomb. You are making . . ." Similarly, sleeping: big, big skyscraper building; eating: start thousands of slaughterhouse. Formerly also there were meat-eaters, but did they maintain slaughterhouse? "All right, I want to eat meat," just go in the forest. Kill one animal. That's all. Pick it up.