In Canada’s 1988 single-issue federal election, a majority of the electorate voted for parties that promised to reject the North American Free Trade Agreement, but their jobs were sent to Mexico anyway and did not return even after the “ false majority” government responsible was kicked to the curb in the next election. In Canada, another pseudo-democracy, nobody has replicated Gilens & Page yet and I don’t think any political science student who wants to do so should expect encouragement from the academic establishment because I am certain the same results would emerge.Ī typical Canadian election involves turfing out a party who failed to deliver on their promises. It is also instructive to consider the specific policies which have caused the most severe economic harm to the poor and working class, like NAFTA. Perhaps the only reason voters get even 30% of what they want is to prevent them from building guillotines. Perhaps the big rats – the oligarchs – let voters win 30% of the time so we’ll continue to cling to the illusion of democracy, even though the little rats only ever win when the big rats let them. Of course, correlation is not causation, but perhaps this is the reason the average voter’s influence on public policy flatlines at 30% rather than 25%, or ten. If the little rat doesn’t play, the big rat can’t have fun. However, if the big rat doesn’t let the little rat win 30% of the time, the little rat won’t play. Adolescent rats love to wrestle, and Panksepp discovered that if one rat is at least 10% bigger than another, it will trounce the smaller rat every time. This figure may have a unique significance with respect the way our brains are wired. Oligarchy notes that the probability of a law passing is about 30% no matter what percentage of average voters approve of it. The Gilens & Page study (2014) that exposed the U.S. is a “democracy” has been stubbornly persistent for a number of reasons, including cultural saturation and cognitive dissonance, but there’s another factor that may contribute to maintaining the illusion of choice. However, plutocracy and oligarchy can be used interchangeably not just because the few who rule also happen to be rich, but because of the other feature both systems have in common: the average citizen has no say in public policy, so the ruling class does not have the consent of the governed. Hate is too great a burden to bear.Oligarchy means rule by the few, but Plutocracy, which means rule by the wealthy, may be a more accurate term to describe U.S. Respect the community, and do not consign their comments to the memory hole. If your submission is popular, please don't delete it. Always message the mods instead of attacking users in public. No file lockers, torrents or linkjacking: site must stream video.Īny brigading or continual harassment of one user against another may result in a ban. if they're wrong, tell them why! Personal attacks or comments that insult, demean or threaten users will be removed and result in bans. Mods reserve the right to apply the don't be a jackass rule. The following are not considered documentaries on this subreddit: TV news, articles, interviews, lectures, amateur home videos, mockumentaries, biopics, and vlogs. Soliciting for donations or linking to your own YouTube channel is annoying and prohibited.ĭocumentaries only. Please upvote if it adds to intelligent discussion, downvote if it doesn't. tag is mandatory in the description for trailers A (CC) tag in the description is strongly encouraged. Do not post titles or descriptions using 100% capitalised words. Posting format: Title (year) - optional short description Ĭorrect title, year of release and length are mandatory. Submissions and comments from brand-new accounts will be removed. Welcome, friends! Check the top of the subreddit for a request thread Search By Topic
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