It's always fascinated me that the only implementation of democracy is "representative democracy"... Technology now supports far more variations on direct- and liquid- democratic decision making...but how to change the status quo?
Yep, thanks Ben. That's the thing that gets me... We've kind-of allowed the "idea" of democracy (that we can always just vote to change things we don't like) to keep us from questioning what social and economic circumstances are required for democracy to actually work like that
Well argued, Tim. [I might need to reread it later in the day, when my coffee has landed in my brain! But I get the drift.] Unfortunately however, the majority only follow the soundbite. In NZ, our system makes a clearly voted in majority unique. Our last three years Labour majority were a one off and then people ran for the hills, for no good reason. The majority didn't seem able to get their heads around what international pressures feed through here and what are the result of our own government policies. They didn't vote for the CEO dude. They voted for 'Change' because grocery and fuel prices skyrocketed (due to overseas market pressures). And the change they have inflicted on those who do understand is a three-Party shambolic bunch of vampires. [I plan to back-read your earlier posts. It's great to get your perspective. I found you through Nick's Kōreo.] ... Make it great day.
Thanks for your comment Annie, and welcome to the Tea Party (not that one!) 😉
I think you're right; people are always going to be inclined to vote for themselves (understandably) and, in the context of financial and 'cultural' stress, that sometimes means a sort of 'desperation' in their voting choices (what—as you point out—can euphemistically be described as "voting for change" but which, when things get bad enough, becomes "voting for authoritarianism" or "voting for fascism").
What I'm trying to wrap my head around now is why these options even appear on the ballot *in the first place*... that's actually where I'm headed next in this series.
It's always fascinated me that the only implementation of democracy is "representative democracy"... Technology now supports far more variations on direct- and liquid- democratic decision making...but how to change the status quo?
Yep, thanks Ben. That's the thing that gets me... We've kind-of allowed the "idea" of democracy (that we can always just vote to change things we don't like) to keep us from questioning what social and economic circumstances are required for democracy to actually work like that
Well argued, Tim. [I might need to reread it later in the day, when my coffee has landed in my brain! But I get the drift.] Unfortunately however, the majority only follow the soundbite. In NZ, our system makes a clearly voted in majority unique. Our last three years Labour majority were a one off and then people ran for the hills, for no good reason. The majority didn't seem able to get their heads around what international pressures feed through here and what are the result of our own government policies. They didn't vote for the CEO dude. They voted for 'Change' because grocery and fuel prices skyrocketed (due to overseas market pressures). And the change they have inflicted on those who do understand is a three-Party shambolic bunch of vampires. [I plan to back-read your earlier posts. It's great to get your perspective. I found you through Nick's Kōreo.] ... Make it great day.
Thanks for your comment Annie, and welcome to the Tea Party (not that one!) 😉
I think you're right; people are always going to be inclined to vote for themselves (understandably) and, in the context of financial and 'cultural' stress, that sometimes means a sort of 'desperation' in their voting choices (what—as you point out—can euphemistically be described as "voting for change" but which, when things get bad enough, becomes "voting for authoritarianism" or "voting for fascism").
What I'm trying to wrap my head around now is why these options even appear on the ballot *in the first place*... that's actually where I'm headed next in this series.
Might the question be: why has authoritarianism / fascism become mainstream? That's what I find daunting.