Blog Credo

The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary.

H.L. Mencken

Friday, April 18, 2014

"A Republic, If You Can Keep It"

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/princeton-experts-say-us-no-longer-democracy

Some pointy-headed Princetonians have argued that America is no longer a democracy, but an oligarchy.  If I was being pedantic, I would note that America has never been a "democracy" but a republic.  And republics naturally reflect the will of elites more than the masses.

But I also feel that this is a bunch of academic stunt writing.  Make a provocative claim, reap the headlines and talk show appearances, profit.

But on the other other hand, this is a real possibility if we don't address wealth inequality and its impact on politics. It deserves to be brought up.

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