It's something to do with the election system of how we elect our representatives. The field of choice is narrow and controlled by the parties, and there is a lot of unquestioned loyalty towards each party which is learnt from parents. This loyalty serves to exclude any alternative candidates.
Think of these democratic elections as being like systems of gambling (dice, cards, poker). The important thing is to give the people the idea that it is fair, when in fact the house always wins. It's a fine, foolled balance. They have made us election addicts. Even the gambler who is repeatedly ruined keeps on playing.
Anarchist theory states that the bare minimum your representatives should be subject to is instant recall. For example, it should be written in the constitution that if more than half the voters sign a petition at any time (or 5 million people walk past parliament, say) then they get sacked.
We need a system to take away their mandate at the time of our choice, not theirs. Then we can mobilize around that. If the demos actually had such a practical aim which we could hope for, they would have been ten times bigger. But we have systematically disempowered.
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democracy.
24.03.2003 07:08
Arumba
yes, how indeed?
24.03.2003 07:15
And he has significant popular support---so far.
Almost 3% of the population marched in London! Correct me if I am wrong.
How is he surviving? Secrets of the parliamentary system? Educate an ignorant Amerikkkan.
United $tates of Amerikkka
It's the election system
24.03.2003 07:43
Think of these democratic elections as being like systems of gambling (dice, cards, poker). The important thing is to give the people the idea that it is fair, when in fact the house always wins. It's a fine, foolled balance. They have made us election addicts. Even the gambler who is repeatedly ruined keeps on playing.
Anarchist theory states that the bare minimum your representatives should be subject to is instant recall. For example, it should be written in the constitution that if more than half the voters sign a petition at any time (or 5 million people walk past parliament, say) then they get sacked.
We need a system to take away their mandate at the time of our choice, not theirs. Then we can mobilize around that. If the demos actually had such a practical aim which we could hope for, they would have been ten times bigger. But we have systematically disempowered.
goatchurch
Thank you
24.03.2003 12:10
c'nuck