Do you think oligarchy is inevitable?

[StellaBlue]

I have come to this conclusion, thanks to a wide variety of readings and just plain old common-sense observation, not to mention some deep consideration about my own humanity.

The two main sources that I can point to in order to elucidate what I mean are, of course, Zinn's "People's History of the United States" and the sociological philosophies of Vilfredo Pareto (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vilfredo_Pareto#External_links) whom I was turned on to by an ex boyfriend that I was talking to earlier. I disagree with him on plenty, and don't really think his "worldview" is complete enough to be a viable philosophical model... but... food for thought, fits right into the thoughts I've been having lately.

Also see the entry for the "Iron Law of Oligarchy"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_law_of_oligarchy

Now, what I want to know is - is oligarchy inevitable? And violence? I agree with Pareto that human society never really changes, never has, never will. But must we KILL people? I guess as long as there is a large segment of humanity that IS willing to resort to violence, the answer is yes. I don't want to let the logic of my philosophical investigations to turn me into a hawk, and I certainly do NOT favor violence, and I think a lot about Gandhi... but...

How much should we be willing to fight inevitability? Should we just try to ride out the whims of the elites? What would our deaths really ultimately accomplish? Should we focus on helping people in OUR communities, instead, where we can really make a HUGE difference?

Thoughts?

(Sorry this is so disjointed - it's late!)

[Selatius]

1. With the structure of our government, it's very possible if not likely

In our system, one political party can actually gain control over all the organs of government. This is less likely to happen in systems based on proportional representation because people are liberated to vote for alternatives.

This is not true in our two-party system where you are forced into voting for only one of two parties. In such a system, a single party often does win a majority of all the seats. In a system based on proportional representation, the odds of that happening are reduced dramatically.

Ultimately, if you want a system that is very close to or is direct democracy, you could establish one in a small-sized commune or community or worker co-op. You will have to start delegating authority the bigger your organization grows though.

Personally, I feel the US has grown too large as a nation to govern. I say what will happen is the US will dissolve sometime in the next 100 to 200 years. 300 million people are, in my mind, better represented by 4 or 5 or more governments than just 1.

If the Constitution is to be reformed, I would say we could learn some things from the Swiss, the Germans, and others in the industrialized world.

[BlooInBloo]

2. I suspect it's the strongest-drawing "equlibrium state"....

... ie, if you don't want to end up there, rather strong explicit measures need to be taken to avoid it.

[OneBlueSky]

3. well . . . if by oligarchy you mean . . .

a political system governed by a few people, I'd say we're already there . . .

and have been for some time -- at least since 2000, and likely much longer . . .

unfortunately, government "Of the People, By the People, and For the People" seems to have perished from the earth . . . or at least from the good ole U.S. of A. . .

[drduffy]

4. OneBlueSky is right

we are already there. Only, I would say it has been running the show longer than from 2000.

[JNelson6563]

5. I believe it is already here

and has been for some time. Smedley Butler seemed to think so ages ago, it's only gotten worse.

Julie

[StellaBlue]

6. Oh, I think we HAVE one, sure... but I meant my question historically

I think the USA has always been an oligarchy, just a "more-fair" oligarchy than some previous ones. But now it's get to a be naked oligarchy (Chimperor with no clothes! ha!) and we can no longer
pretend we live in a democracy, or even a republic.

But I am beginning to suspect that oligarchy is inevitable. And once I come to this conclusion, my options, insofar as action, seem limited and futile. That's why I was thinking about small-scale positive change (e.g. recycling drive, Habitat for Humanity, fostering kids, feeding the hungry, etc.)

[drduffy]

7. yes it is inevitable....

check out Polybius...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polybius