NationStates Jolt Archive

Regardless of our geographical locations and political inclinations, I think the majority of us can agree on three things:

1. The current political system is unacceptable.

2. We recognise oligarchism as the main problem.

3. The people are in a state of political lethargy.

Hence, I thought it could be interesting to try to find convenient strategies against this menace – strategies that can be applied in everyday life and that don't require time-consuming commitment. Hopefully, we could agree on some kind of manifesto prototype and possibly even distribute it on Internet. At least, then we would do something to change the situation.

STRATEGIES AGAINST OLIGARCHISM

Keep yourself informed. Read as much as possible and encourage your friends to read, regardless of what they want to read; if they read tons of pulp fiction, they will sooner or later explore more advanced literature. Make sure to subscribe to a quality newspaper, because they often offer more in-depth news coverage and information than television programs. Use the Internet to find alternative news coverage and information, but don't trust these sources blindly. Don't ignore television, but focus on news broadcasts and documentaries. Knowledge is the fundament of serious politics.

Always ask the question "WHY?" We take too many things for granted, even when we think that we apply critical thinking. Dare to confront your own values, attitudes and opinions with the question "WHY?" as well; it will certainly improve your debating skills. A value, attitude or opinion that can't be supported with proper arguments is worth nothing. Although it may seem extremely obvious, we tend to forget that there always is a purpose behind everything, including this very manifesto!

Get your political priorities right. The primary priority is to encourage critical thinking and political discussion. To promote specific ideologies, systems and parties is only the secondary or even tertiary priority; you might scare away ambivalent people. In fact, consensus doesn't have to be your enemy; if you can make everyone agree that the current order is unacceptable, you have already accomplished much. Combat the status quo first.

Don't focus on pseudo-issues. Common examples of pseudo-issues are the rights of homosexuals and the be-or-not-to-be of abortions. Such issues do of course encourage fervent debates, but they are basically only political distractions; such issues are insignificant next to issues such as power and wealth concentration, and they don't affect society at large. Don't engage in dog fighting on the surface of the Death Star – attack the core.

Contribute to the political debating climate in your own surroundings. If you are a parent, teach your children to think critically and independently. If you are a student, instigate political debates in the classroom. If you are a teacher, integrate critical thinking and political debating in your teaching. Or why not simply distribute your own political posters in your neighbourhood? Make it enigmatic – make people think.

Contribute to the political debating climate on Internet. Instigate political debates in every forum, message board and newsgroup. Remember that political debates occurs frequently even in explicitly non-political forums. If some posters complain that "this forum isn't supposed to be political", then accuse them rightfully for ignorance and lethargy. Stagnation is a menace – raise hell.

Create your own political island in the digital ocean. A basic web site without fancy graphics doesn't require much work at all; you decide yourself if you want to update and expand it in the future. Remember that, at a guess, only 5-20 % of all web sites can be labelled quality sites, and many important areas are not satisfactorily covered; your contribution is valuable. Offer something exclusive – something worthwhile to read.

Always vote and always encourage other people to vote. Remember that you can ALWAYS protest against the system by handing in a blank voting-paper. If only 5-10 % of the population use this form of protest, neither the mass media nor the politicians can ignore it; it's actually a powerful vote of censure. If you abstain from voting, you support the status quo.

Don't yield to consumptionist behaviour. As long as people find it more important to own status stuff than engage in politics, the status quo will prevail. As a rule of thumb, only purchase things that you need and things that can make you evolve as a person. Whenever possible, avoid corporate products – you only contribute to monopolies and oligopolies – and products with massive marketing campaigns – in the end, YOU pay for the marketing.

Always confront fervent defenders of the status quo. These people actually represent the worst kind of ignorance: the educated ignorance. Such people could hypothetically defend any status quo, even in a totalitarian state: "Well, it could have been worse." "We have nice houses and nice cars, so stop complaining." "No one has forced these people to be dissidents." "Okay, concentration camps aren’t nice, but they house criminals after all."

Great post. I grant you a cookie.

If only people actually cared. I've been reading a disheartening amount of blogs that only say "politcs si 4 fAGSS, C@rs aND M3t4l ArE TeH 4w3s0m3!!!!".

Great post. I grant you a cookie.

If only people actually cared. I've been reading a disheartening amount of blogs that only say "politcs si 4 fAGSS, C@rs aND M3t4l ArE TeH 4w3s0m3!!!!".

COOKIE? The Party did not authorize you to give me a cookie! To Room 101 with you! :)

People are just, by nature, stupid. Not uninformed, just incapable of learning. Sounds judgmental, and melodramatic. It sure is. And just a bit of facetious commenting. People who are apathetic make up most of society, and only become conscious at extremely rare moments, for example, the Russian Revolution, the French Revolutions, etc. Millions don't even take the 10 minutes to bubble in or bubble no candidate in a ballot slip. That's just fucking pathetic.

I agree with this. The political system of the United States is atrociously stagnant; that's why some 99% of politicians are reelected. People either don't vote or vote based upon the "R" or "D" next to their name; I see this firsthand in Cleveland where we have terrible Democrat politicians who care nothing about Ohio and are reelected because they give their constituents plenty of useless pork while the economy tanks and companies flee. Our Republican governor is also terrible, hiking gas taxes for Big Government pork spending while refusing to fund initiatives for attracting technology companies in the name of fiscal responsibility.

The same goes on in the Senate; the highway and energy bills are examples of the worst American politics has to offer; we've become stagnant and allow these scumbag politicians to spend freely and pander to special interests while doing nothing to help real Americans.

Term limits and strict campaign finance laws are necessary to getting these parasites out of office; the only other result is the death of American politics and the sliding of our nation in to the hands of an oligarchial elite.

That too true the threats of oligarchies from individuals, corporations, and governments endanger any 'fair and balanced system'. But as the poll above suggests apathy and lack of caring is a worse enemy. -It it not a greater crime for good people to do nothing when they know a wrong is being committed. For fear they don't choose to upset their satus quo, or endanger their place in society. Many of these fears are unfounded, many are not.

I would think though, that one of the greatest dangers that humanity has in any sort of governmental structure is that of the shortcomings of humanity. Seven deadly sins simplicity types of flaws here. I think the greatest threat over oligarchy (not discounting oligarchy as a huge issue) is the ignorance of the populace and their lack of interest in the world around them. Lets face it. People are stupid. And the larger the group the stupider( understanding that's not a real word. ) they get. Its one of the main reasons our founding fathers ( USA ) set up our governmental system as a repreentative democracy because they knew and understood to a certain degree that while people do not neccessarilly need a king, they also do not need to have 'demos kratia' - the people ruling. Unfortunately socialism and communism don't have it right either. They're as filled with cronyism and nepotism, waste, abuse and special interest as the US. they just have a different way of showing it.

The people are in a state of political lethargy, i think you're absolutely correct. The remedy would be to immerse them into the political process and to pull in the educated working class in the system. To educate the general public and to get them excited about their political process.
The reality is that most don't have enough smarts to care, and those that do are trying to figure out ways to have their special interests benefited. People are lazy and mistakenly under the impression that they are entitled to ... fill in blank here. Its a sad state of the union.

I voted "apathy" on my poll. A lack of willingness to care enough about their society to stop subtle takeover is in my mind, worse than the takeover itself, for it would never have happened without people not giving a shit. I blank my ballots. Ideologies and pseudo-candidates don't deserve my vote. Besides, plenty of election machines are rigged. It's naive to think everyone is a happy bunny.

Apathy is as always a great threat...but then at times I think to myself that perhaps it is a good thing that many of those who have no interest in politics don't vote. As has been said "the best arguement against democracy is a five-minute talk with the average voter". Honestly I feel that if you cannot get yourself interested in the world at large and are too lazy to go to the polls...you probably are not responsible enough to vote anyway. Not that I believe in voting restrictions, I don't, but it is probably a positive factor that alot of the ill-informed masses choose not to vote.

As for my present quality of life, I don't mind things at all really, in the US things could be much better obviously, but I'm not going to agitate or bitterly complain at the moment, as I am content with things and don't believe in expecting a perfect utopia...I do not shun improvement, I like new ideas and if improvements can be made, let them be made, but to be completely honest, compared to what things could be or historically have been, things right now in this year of our Lord 2005, domestically I mean, are not so bad.

I'd say it's not any of those, but a lack of movers in society, and I mean by that a lack of people who are willing and able to do revolutionary things to move the human race forward. This applies to people in the sciences, in politics and just about anywhere. It seems to me that too many people these days just don't have the heart or ambition to shake things up. This wouldn't fit under apathy because it's not really a result of a lack of interest in my opinion, so I put it under "other".

I would say the greatest threat is probably capitalism as any oligarchy capable of existing in the modern world is probably capitalist anyway.

Perhaps, but with the ever-growing popularity of regulated capitalism it seems that this threat is quickly being stamped out. Capitalism is here to stay, just not in a form that threatens the existence of a free society.

Personally, I feel that communism is simply a totaliarian front. Sure, in theory it assumes itself to be egalitarian and equal, but in practice, it makes the rise to power of tyrants easy, and allows the control of thoughts and deeds, by saying that any other way is against nature, and against the all-pervasive State. Capitalism to me is the most efficient and most profitable economist system humans have devised, simply because it is natural. People didn't invent capitalism, and certainly not Adam Smith. As soon as Industrial-Age methods of production came into being, mercantilism died, and gave way to consumerism. Capitalism is harmful, though. I feel that connection between individual and community, something I'm not particularly supportive of anyways, has been severed. People seem lonely nowadays, despite whatever goes on.

I most definitely think capitalism is the best economic system, but there do need to be some regulations. The government should break up monopolies, for instance.

Nationalized industry is not the solution though!

Of course there needs to be regulation. :) There has to be balance between government and economy. If the government is too powerful, we end up with Oceania and INGSOC. If the businesses are too powerful, we end up with Brave New World. Regulation is healthy. Lack of regulation is asking for trouble.

I've said it before, I'll say it again: you can't hope to sustain a worldwide civilization on the concept of the entire population selling worthless crap to itself. We were never meant to be a planet of salesmen. And anyway, the planet couldn't hope to sustain that bizarro culture in any event.

I think Capitalism is an oft-ignored recipe for total global disaster. It has at its' heart the notion of getting something for nothing, and the greatest goal one can aspire to is a life without purpose - just existing, albeit in plush surroundings.

To aspire to do nothing is to my way of thinking, at best an indication of poor mental health.

I've said it before, I'll say it again: you can't hope to sustain a worldwide civilization on the concept of the entire population selling worthless crap to itself. We were never meant to be a planet of salesmen. And anyway, the planet couldn't hope to sustain that bizarro culture in any event.

I think Capitalism is an oft-ignored recipe for total global disaster. It has at its' heart the notion of getting something for nothing, and the greatest goal one can aspire to is a life without purpose - just existing, albeit in plush surroundings.

To aspire to do nothing is to my way of thinking, at best an indication of poor mental health.

Selling crap to each other has kept civilization going for the past 10,000 years; it would be the same in a world civilization. People want things to make their lives more comfortable and entertaining, and so as long as they want things there we be people to make and sell them to others.

Capitalism is the only economic system proven to work for an extended period of time on a large scale. Every other alternative has failed miserably. The notion of capitalism is to create wealth through competition and your own work; if properly regulated it's the most socially moblie and meritocratic system in existence.

Selling crap to each other has kept civilization going for the past 10,000 years; it would be the same in a world civilization. People want things to make their lives more comfortable and entertaining, and so as long as they want things there we be people to make and sell them to others.

Capitalism is the only economic system proven to work for an extended period of time on a large scale. Every other alternative has failed miserably. The notion of capitalism is to create wealth through competition and your own work; if properly regulated it's the most socially moblie and meritocratic system in existence.

Exactly. Centrally-organized economies fail because they contain inherent human flaws, but economies that are the result of human interaction over decades or centuries are the longest-sustainable. Capitalism props itself up. And if our society truly just sells worthless shit to itself, it'll keep selling worthless shit to itself forever, until the human species is extinct. How is capitalism not sustainable? It has worked for almost three centuries. Or perhaps you don't know about that, Dobbs?

I've said it before, I'll say it again: you can't hope to sustain a worldwide civilization on the concept of the entire population selling worthless crap to itself. We were never meant to be a planet of salesmen. And anyway, the planet couldn't hope to sustain that bizarro culture in any event. I agree with you in some respects, mostly that people have become complacent and it's a sad reflection on our race that we are content with the goal of eventually owning the best stuff money can or can't buy. As I said above, lack of ambition and drive will lead the human race down a dark path. But on the other hand, the beauty of capitalism is freedom: people are free to exchange/manufacture/buy/sell etc. whatever goods they so choose. They also have the freedom not to, if they choose.

Selling crap to each other has kept civilization going for the past 10,000 years; it would be the same in a world civilization. People want things to make their lives more comfortable and entertaining, and so as long as they want things there we be people to make and sell them to others.
Okay fine - that doesn't mean everybody wants to be a salesman. That doesn't mean that everybody should consider a lifetime of perpetual loafing and consumption to be height of human existence. If people are happy to do nothing but eat, sleep, excrete and repeat in a gilded cage, I suppose it's none of my affair.

But I resent being told on a constant basis that I should value that sort of non-existence over my own point-of-view. That I should be entrepeneurial, that I should enjoy getting something for nothing, or at least enjoy the illusion of getting something for nothing.

It's like Christmas time: when you're a kid you think of all that you stand to gain, but as you grow older you come to realize the fun really is in the giving. But I know a few people in their forties who never twigged to that realization - and y'know? Christmas is one of their most-despised times of year. They're to a man bitter, lonely, jaded people... because they can only think of themselves at a time of year when generosity is the byword.

Sorry, capitalism may have always been present in, or even part and parcel of civilizations dating back 10,000 years or more - but it's never been the sole force for systems of governance. And if you try establishing it as the de facto system for the entire planet, it will implode when the resources required to prop it up collapse, as must invariably occur.

What value then a life lived in decadent splendour? What use are hands that know naught but the touch of money, ill-gained and on the backs of many?

Why, none at all. We'll see in this century how capitalism fares. My sense is that it will seek out the mailed fist to fit into its' velvety glove - and on that day, a lot of cute masks will fall.

Or perhaps you don't know about that, Dobbs?
Piffle. How can one be alive today and not be aware of the impact of unfettered money-making?

I'm insulted by your snideness. Though I suspect that was your intention in the first place.

Have fun with your thread, seeya.

Okay fine - that doesn't mean everybody wants to be a salesman. That doesn't mean that everybody should consider a lifetime of perpetual loafing and consumption to be height of human existence. If people are happy to do nothing but eat, sleep, excrete and repeat in a gilded cage, I suppose it's none of my affair.

But I resent being told on a constant basis that I should value that sort of non-existence over my own point-of-view. That I should be entrepeneurial, that I should enjoy getting something for nothing, or at least enjoy the illusion of getting something for nothing.

It's like Christmas time: when you're a kid you think of all that you stand to gain, but as you grow older you come to realize the fun really is in the giving. But I know a few people in their forties who never twigged to that realization - and y'know? Christmas is one of their most-despised times of year. They're to a man bitter, lonely, jaded people... because they can only think of themselves at a time of year when generosity is the byword.

Sorry, capitalism may have always been present in, or even part and parcel of civilizations dating back 10,000 years or more - but it's never been the sole force for systems of governance. And if you try establishing it as the de facto system for the entire planet, it will implode when the resources required to prop it up collapse, as must invariably occur.

What value then a life lived in decadent splendour? What use are hands that know naught but the touch of money, ill-gained and on the backs of many?

Why, none at all. We'll see in this century how capitalism fares. My sense is that it will seek out the mailed fist to fit into its' velvety glove - and on that day, a lot of cute masks will fall.

What is the other option? People have to work to support themselves, and there is no other feasible way of maintaining quality of life without people producing things. That is, of course, unless we revert to a subsistece economy which is not becoming to a world civilization.

Selfishness is part of human nature. It's sad, but true. It exists everywhere, at every time. That's why the Communist experiment failed, because it required everyone to act selflessly for the good of all; this is in itself implausible, but when combined with total elimination of reward according to merit and value resulted in its being doomed to failiure from the start. Capitalism provides everyone to rise on their own merits, and those who care only about themselves will not hurt everyone because of their greed; of course, capitalism must be regulated to prevent economic greed from harming others, but that is assumed to be the case in any capitalist economy.

Capitalism is the system for 97.5% of the World, and that is including the partially capitalist China as a non-capitalist country. It is the de facto sysem of the planet, and will be until something better comes along. We wouldn't need to impose it because it is already omnipresent.

In a well regulated capitalist economy, the workers will not be slaves to some plutocrat, they will be allowed to organize and bargain. Also, in a world economy, companies can't flee to lossely regulated Third World countries to establish sweatshops; capitalism would be at its finest if regulated by one body for the entire world.

Capitalism works, and that is why it will remain dominant.

Capitalism I've always seen as the most basic of human social interactions, its a natural quid pro quo that has been the most useful, though imperfect, it manages to address human imperfection and turn it to its advantage. We are never going to have a perfect world, and strifing for a perfect one will only cause more problems. A good, workable plan today is better than a perfect one tomorrow. If we can have a tolerable, functioning world system, that is probably the best we can expect in our lifetime.