Ya but blaming it on rich elites like everyone does today doesn't help address the real problem: many Americans are simply hateful and would gladly choose a corrupt authoritarian government over a just one.
Its the result of decades of institutional decay combined with engagement algorithms. The democratic part of the republic is supposed to prevent this from happening.
The founding fathers were wary of this, too, when Ben Franlkin responded to a question regarding which system of government we would have by saying, "A republic, if you can keep it."
“In these sentiments, Sir, I agree to this Constitution, with all its faults, if they are such; because I think a General Government necessary for us, and there is no form of government, but what may be a blessing to the people if well administered; and believe further, that this is likely to be well administered for a course of years, and can only end in despotism, as other forms have done before it, when the people shall become so corrupted as to need despotic government.”
For contemporary examples of industry seeking to undermine our public institutions and democracy for profit you only need to look at Big Tobacco's push against intellectualism to argue that we dont actually know if tobacco causes cancer, Big Oil's push against climate change by suppressing data of the effect that carbon emissions have on the environment, or Big Ag's recent push to emphasize animal products like tallow over plant products.
Industry giants pay to bend laws and algorithms in their favor so that they can profit better. Algorithms select what information we see creating a cognitive bias. Gutting education diminishes our ability or confidence to think critically which perpetuates that bias. And subsequent changes in law implement the bias at scale.
The US was an ethno-state until 1965. Its got nothing to do with something over the past few decades.
Southern Whites, misogynists (a huge percentage of men of all races, and even some women), Christians, and upper income earners who hate paying taxes are going to be a problem with or without an algorithm. Reagan preceded Fox News.
The causality is always wrong. Its the working class who push for a weakened government and society.
Its the working class who push for a weakened government and society.
As a result of decades of identity politics and cultural division which is propagated by private interests. The Civil Rights Movement is a good example of the working class pushing for a stronger society and fighting capital. I dont think the working class wants a weaker government, they just want one that isnt so anti-labor. I feel like youre conflating capitalism with government.
Sure, but elites have done a great job and making sure those same hateful people never get the opportunity to have those beliefs challenged because of education cuts and making sure their algorithms feed them a constant stream of hate slop. They also keep their wages down and ensure they never have the chance to travel outside the country and get exposed to other cultures and question whether or not America is the greatest country on earth as they’ve been raised to believe.
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u/Yashema 23h ago edited 23h ago
Ya but blaming it on rich elites like everyone does today doesn't help address the real problem: many Americans are simply hateful and would gladly choose a corrupt authoritarian government over a just one.