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| 22 Nov 2014 04:51 AM |
| The nature of the 'democratic process' is these societies are inherently undemocratic. I believe they have been established to legitimize government authority over the individuals life and provide for the peaceful transition of power from one group of oligarchs to the next. |
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HailMario
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| Joined: 05 Oct 2012 |
| Total Posts: 17741 |
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| 22 Nov 2014 04:52 AM |
| I am not a republican. I think evangelical republicans are silly. |
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Excilsor
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| Joined: 28 Sep 2011 |
| Total Posts: 3192 |
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| 22 Nov 2014 05:09 AM |
oh god a philosopher
oh no the world is doomed in his eyes
we all gonna die aaaaaaaa |
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| 22 Nov 2014 05:10 AM |
| While. I can't say you are wrong there. |
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Neovus
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| Joined: 23 Oct 2013 |
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| 22 Nov 2014 05:49 AM |
Except we're not even close to an oligarchy? Who do you think has power?
Let's define power as the ability to impose laws and make decisions within a country.
The US, a democratic society, has 3 branches of government each which has a way of influencing checks and balances upon each other. One of those branches can be heavily influenced by people with money through PACs and lobbyists. The majority of the people in these governing positions are voted in or at least placed in power by someone who was elected.
Along with that, the majority can make decisions in a democracy save for those defined by inalienable rights. They make decisions based on what they see and what they learn.
So now we have defined two bodies of power: government and people. A third of the government can be influenced by money. Half of the power, the people, can be influenced by advertising and education.
It's not perfect, but it's the best we have so far. If you'd like to give a suggestion for improvements, please do say so. |
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| 22 Nov 2014 05:54 AM |
| Let's define power as those with the monetary resources to manipulate public opinion and influence the actions of the government. |
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Neovus
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| Joined: 23 Oct 2013 |
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| 22 Nov 2014 06:01 AM |
I actually defined both of those things already in my previous statement:
Advertising is manipulating public opinion and PACs and lobbyists influence the actions of the government.
I also established that a third of the government is affected by PACs and lobbyists and the people are affected by advertising.
To what extent neither of us could say, but it's definitely not enough to say that power lays with the people advertising and lobbying. While there's lobbyists in oil companies, there's also lobbyists from green companies. While there's conservative PACs, there's also liberal PACs.
I think I've established the following:
A) Power does not lay in mostly money yet alone only money;
B) Even when advertising and lobbying is involved, there's two sides to every coin. |
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