Cattraknoff
04-02-2008, 02:54 AM
When asked what the best, least corruptible form of government is, the vast majority of people would respond that it is obviously Democracy. The power and freedoms given to the people in such a system, combined with a free capitalist society should in theory allow anyone to succeed in a Democracy, anyone to lead as a result of their merit and not birth. As with all theories as to a “perfect” form of government, the Democratic one tends to be overly idealistic regarding human nature. Indeed, nearly any form of government could function quite remarkably if the leaders were benevolent, intelligent and selfless individuals. The corruption inherent in human nature is generally left out of the equation altogether, and so the failure of each becomes inevitable.
Democracy can and often does succeed in prolonging this failure, though it cannot prevent the smallest seed of corruption from being planted. Once this corruption does inevitably arrive, it will grow exponentially when left unchecked. Democracy, of all systems tried thus far does provide the most stable regime in the long-term, as the people see little reason to revolt against a government which is supposedly “by and for” them. This long-term stability however ends up being the Achilles-Heel of the system, given the fact that once certain groups attain a great deal of wealth and/or influence in politics, there is no new changing of regimes to provide a fresh start. As a consequence of this, corruption has a very long time to fester, and before long the inevitable near-monopolization of wealth and power becomes apparent.
Moreover, even when this does occur, the people tend to retain faith that things can be changed in their current political system, because they hold the power after all. While it is indeed true that the people hold the power, this is the same in any nation, be it democratic or dictatorial. This power however is not a result of their voting, this power is out of the fear that the government should have if they become overly corrupt, if they begin working against the will of the people. The ruling class must always fear a revolution, and as a result they work to appease the people, just enough that they remain content. The regime in question will surpass any reasonable limits to corruption if and when this fear can be removed. While in theory any populace could rise up in rebellion, given support of the vast (80 or 90%) majority, the simple fact is that in most cases the people fail to realise the problem until it is too late to act. After the ruling class decides that it wishes to oppress the people, a campaign will always begin in order to pacify them before hand, usually beginning with measures to gain control of the media.
Once control of the media is attained, their task becomes significantly easier. Information fed to them will be that designed to stupify them, terrify them and more often than not, both. This is apparent today in the increasing celebrity worship working in tandem with news of the latest terrorist attacks. The people would not surrender their rights under normal circumstances, extreme circumstances, or the illusion of such must be employed to allow the people to turn a blind eye without raising too many questions. Terrorism, whether the attacks are encouraged or not, provides this quite adequately. This alone is not enough however, as increasing economic worries combined with global warming give the people even more to be frightened of, even more to distract them. The general public must be made to fear these things and nothing else. The measures brought about crippling their freedoms must look as if they are to protect them, that they might feel safe and secure in their ignorance.
Following this campaign to blind the people, the ruling class may feel secure in its position. Fear of revolution is all but non-existent, resulting in them having what is essentially a free hand in whatever they may wish to do. At this point corruption will grow at its fastest rate, as the government now has the power to oppress the people more obviously, should they so choose to. Often however little obvious action will be taken even at this point, the people must first become accustomed to the government imposing on their rights, they must learn to trust in the laws stripping them of their liberty. The people when given the choice can and often do sacrifice this liberty, even in the small amounts, to preserve this security. What always results from this is increasing measures to rob them of their freedoms, leading to the eventual enslavement of the people. While this slavery is not always blatantly obvious, the general result is the same: The people lose any real choice in matters of government, and most live as second-class citizens, unless they are fortunate enough to be among the wealthy. Even still those with wealth have little freedoms, their ability to speak and think as they see fit stripped from them, though their comforts keep them content.
The question then is at what point is it prudent to prevent their rulers from acting against them? While open oppression is not immediate and sometimes even never happens, injustices will show themselves. The moment a government brings about measures designed to encroach on the rights of the people, action must be taken. Empty justifications must not be accepted, as any limits to their liberty brought about will lead to more, and will always be exploited as a rule without exception. The government must swiftly be brought into line the moment corruption begins to manifest itself. If the people fail to act at this crucial time, their ability to prevent the tyranny to come will be slim to say the least. Though there might always remain a small chance of revolution, once free media sources have been eliminated it becomes difficult if not impossible to organize one which has any hope of being successful.
This point has indeed been reached in the modern world. Corporate control is increasing at an astonishing rate. This control is over the government, and even the people directly. It is achieved through control of the information the people receive, providing them with the ability to sway public opinion on a whim. Simultaneously they are working through the government to strip people of their civil rights. They can already arrest anyone they wish without trial or even evidence. Privacy rights are also being encroached upon, justified as a means to prevent terrorist attacks. These measures if abused allow them to find and eliminate political dissidents, to silence anyone who might speak against them. Throughout history there has never been an occasion wherein such measures, once brought into place, were not abused by those in power. The ruling class is completely aware of this, and democratic “leaders” certainly should be. There is absolutely no reason for these laws to be brought into place unless they were intended to be exploited in the first place.
As corruption has grown to the point wherein the ruling class is beyond any and all control, the people are given one final chance to act. The only opportunity to prevent the tyranny to come is now, and it will disappear with the loss of the last open means of communication: the free Internet. Corporations are quickly moving to suppress this, offering the people a much faster infrastructure combined with increased security against ever-frightening viruses and hackers as a means of compensating them for the death of liberty. Unless the people are able to realise what is happening and grasp the necessity of action, they will lose all the freedoms they have taken for granted. Their future is almost an absolute certainty, and will be before long. Unless this small window for action available is used promptly, they shall earn and suffer under a fate worse than most of them can imagine.
(concluded below)
Democracy can and often does succeed in prolonging this failure, though it cannot prevent the smallest seed of corruption from being planted. Once this corruption does inevitably arrive, it will grow exponentially when left unchecked. Democracy, of all systems tried thus far does provide the most stable regime in the long-term, as the people see little reason to revolt against a government which is supposedly “by and for” them. This long-term stability however ends up being the Achilles-Heel of the system, given the fact that once certain groups attain a great deal of wealth and/or influence in politics, there is no new changing of regimes to provide a fresh start. As a consequence of this, corruption has a very long time to fester, and before long the inevitable near-monopolization of wealth and power becomes apparent.
Moreover, even when this does occur, the people tend to retain faith that things can be changed in their current political system, because they hold the power after all. While it is indeed true that the people hold the power, this is the same in any nation, be it democratic or dictatorial. This power however is not a result of their voting, this power is out of the fear that the government should have if they become overly corrupt, if they begin working against the will of the people. The ruling class must always fear a revolution, and as a result they work to appease the people, just enough that they remain content. The regime in question will surpass any reasonable limits to corruption if and when this fear can be removed. While in theory any populace could rise up in rebellion, given support of the vast (80 or 90%) majority, the simple fact is that in most cases the people fail to realise the problem until it is too late to act. After the ruling class decides that it wishes to oppress the people, a campaign will always begin in order to pacify them before hand, usually beginning with measures to gain control of the media.
Once control of the media is attained, their task becomes significantly easier. Information fed to them will be that designed to stupify them, terrify them and more often than not, both. This is apparent today in the increasing celebrity worship working in tandem with news of the latest terrorist attacks. The people would not surrender their rights under normal circumstances, extreme circumstances, or the illusion of such must be employed to allow the people to turn a blind eye without raising too many questions. Terrorism, whether the attacks are encouraged or not, provides this quite adequately. This alone is not enough however, as increasing economic worries combined with global warming give the people even more to be frightened of, even more to distract them. The general public must be made to fear these things and nothing else. The measures brought about crippling their freedoms must look as if they are to protect them, that they might feel safe and secure in their ignorance.
Following this campaign to blind the people, the ruling class may feel secure in its position. Fear of revolution is all but non-existent, resulting in them having what is essentially a free hand in whatever they may wish to do. At this point corruption will grow at its fastest rate, as the government now has the power to oppress the people more obviously, should they so choose to. Often however little obvious action will be taken even at this point, the people must first become accustomed to the government imposing on their rights, they must learn to trust in the laws stripping them of their liberty. The people when given the choice can and often do sacrifice this liberty, even in the small amounts, to preserve this security. What always results from this is increasing measures to rob them of their freedoms, leading to the eventual enslavement of the people. While this slavery is not always blatantly obvious, the general result is the same: The people lose any real choice in matters of government, and most live as second-class citizens, unless they are fortunate enough to be among the wealthy. Even still those with wealth have little freedoms, their ability to speak and think as they see fit stripped from them, though their comforts keep them content.
The question then is at what point is it prudent to prevent their rulers from acting against them? While open oppression is not immediate and sometimes even never happens, injustices will show themselves. The moment a government brings about measures designed to encroach on the rights of the people, action must be taken. Empty justifications must not be accepted, as any limits to their liberty brought about will lead to more, and will always be exploited as a rule without exception. The government must swiftly be brought into line the moment corruption begins to manifest itself. If the people fail to act at this crucial time, their ability to prevent the tyranny to come will be slim to say the least. Though there might always remain a small chance of revolution, once free media sources have been eliminated it becomes difficult if not impossible to organize one which has any hope of being successful.
This point has indeed been reached in the modern world. Corporate control is increasing at an astonishing rate. This control is over the government, and even the people directly. It is achieved through control of the information the people receive, providing them with the ability to sway public opinion on a whim. Simultaneously they are working through the government to strip people of their civil rights. They can already arrest anyone they wish without trial or even evidence. Privacy rights are also being encroached upon, justified as a means to prevent terrorist attacks. These measures if abused allow them to find and eliminate political dissidents, to silence anyone who might speak against them. Throughout history there has never been an occasion wherein such measures, once brought into place, were not abused by those in power. The ruling class is completely aware of this, and democratic “leaders” certainly should be. There is absolutely no reason for these laws to be brought into place unless they were intended to be exploited in the first place.
As corruption has grown to the point wherein the ruling class is beyond any and all control, the people are given one final chance to act. The only opportunity to prevent the tyranny to come is now, and it will disappear with the loss of the last open means of communication: the free Internet. Corporations are quickly moving to suppress this, offering the people a much faster infrastructure combined with increased security against ever-frightening viruses and hackers as a means of compensating them for the death of liberty. Unless the people are able to realise what is happening and grasp the necessity of action, they will lose all the freedoms they have taken for granted. Their future is almost an absolute certainty, and will be before long. Unless this small window for action available is used promptly, they shall earn and suffer under a fate worse than most of them can imagine.
(concluded below)