“DEMOCRACY” in US AMERICA is USEFUL FICTION – Chris Hedges
The fiction of democracy remains useful, not only for corporations, but for our bankrupt liberal class. If the fiction is seriously challenged, liberals will be forced to consider actual resistance, which will be neither pleasant nor easy. As long as a democratic facade exists, liberals can engage in empty moral rhetoric that requires little sacrifice or commitment.
BW: Industrial civilization depends upon its human constituents (you and me) having complete faith & confidence in the way it operates – an indispensable psychological feature of all vertical power complexes. Once confidence dissipates and disappears, disobedience replaces obedience, and hierarchical power collapses. The people then can regroup around more ancient models of proven sustainability - locally sufficient food and tool economies in federation with one another across the globe. Yipee!
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Hi Brian,
This is my first time visiting the site, so… Pleased to meet you!
We seem to share much in the way of philosophy, so maybe you can answer a few questions for me. Some of them may be a bit difficult:
1) Where do I even begin to look for people willing to accept responsibility for fucking-up heaven? I seem to be the only one around!
2) How could I ever hope to survive on a chewed-to-shit planet, should I be forced to quit re-stocking my house at Wal-Mart? Nothing grows in my yard, but weeds!
3) WTF “sustainability program” is going to save 7BN people who were breast-fed on crude oil? I’m sure you know that this planet can only comfortably sustain about 5 to 700,000… and that was back when there still WAS topsoil and wild game!
As you can probably guess, I have a rather bleak outlook for the future. I fully expect homo-sapien to be the last remaining life form on this planet; and out of them, only the ones in Armani suits.
Money makes the world go ’round, and there’s no force great enough to stop it. None, that is, unless you believe in God. Trouble is: he’s the one who told us this would happen! So, I don’t really think he’s gonna pull us out of this one… Do you?
Brian,
I am at heart a peace-loving person.
I am not a pacifist, and accept a role for self-defence, but make a strong distinction between such military action and the “oil war” in Iraq and other wars of aggression.
My thoughts on your short piece is that there may be a bit Utopianism embedded there. I really don’t think that there is any one assured destiny for humankind.
We find in Australia, for example, modern industrial society next to the Aborigines peaceful existence much closer to nature.
No one doctrine dictates that Aborigines may not live as they choose for another 10,000 years or that the military-industrial societies will inevitably implode and the dysfunctional factors compel substantial socio-economic changes. What seems to be operating is that the militarily strong and technologically more advanced are able to impose their will/systems on others. But, if those systems are not sustainable – then what?
I believe, closer to the truth, is the fact that we humans have choice, power, lack of power, wills, minds, and somehow in the mix between the stupidly powerful and the sane poor survivors a dynamic clash shall take place and some sort of better world might emerge. However, I don’t think it will be Utopian – just another version of human organisation living with the human condition.
Keep the faith – enjoy sharing thoughts with you.
Aluta continua – PEACE!
Courtenay ( http://www.globaljusticeonline.com)