Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnnyB
That's an interesting point. It feels like the bipartisan cynicism has reached the highest point that I can recall in my lifetime, and yet it looks like we're seeing huge increases in participation this go around as well. Where do we go from here? Is the turnout this year a blip and an aberration, or do we see an increased engagement with democratic institutions going forward?
It does feel as though there are fundamental issues with the governance system that are causing wide dissatisfaction and cynicism. Information asymmetries between those in power and the common people are less than they ever have been, and the disparity in wealth and influence is also huge right now. I'm hopeful about younger generations finding better ways, but I struggle at this time to see how the reconciliation is actually going to take place.
|
Now, personally I'm extremely cynical and fully expect to see most countries descending into fascism in the coming decades. That said I do think a ton could be done to actually strengthen democracies, if people just had the will.
But I don't think enough of them do. People want solutions, but they want immediate solutions where someone else does all the work and they can cheer or jeer from the sidelines. They just want the bad and different people to go away or shut up.