We all operate in self-interest, as doing so, helps to ensure (we hope) our survival. Whether it be one person or a group of people, self-interest drives the equation. Therefore, a group, That Can Be Known As (TCBKA) a body of government officials can qualify. Also, a group of people TCBKA a body of corporate employees can qualify. In addition, a group of people TCBKA a loosely-bound body of "citizens" can qualify. These groups are not mutually exclusive. How do these groups interact?
What are the dependencies between these groups? We know that the citizen group depends on the gov't group. We know that the gov't group depends on the corporate group. And we know that the corporate group depends on the gov't group. See the problem here? Nobody depends on the citizen group! Some might say that the gov't group depends on the citizen group to get elected. I would respond that is an illusion. Between the fuel of money and the downright corruption in the electoral process, the vote is an illusion. Think of an opiate drug.
What's gonna happen under such a scenario?
1. The citizen group lobbies the gov't group and tries to make it's voice heard by media and demonstrations. End result = gov't group takes little notice, and no wonder as it does not see any dependency for survival there.
2. Corporate group lobbies gov't group. End result = gov't group very responsive and asks for money for their survival. (we're talking BIG money here, not citizen group donations)
3. Corporate group pays money to gov't group and extracts payback promises. End result = corporate group gets legislation they want.
4. Citizen group follows perceived rules thereby voting someone to the gov't group. End result = they are deceived into thinking that they voted in someone that is dependent on their group.
5. Citizen group is dissatisfied with previous gov't group member that they voted for. End result = they vote in a different person to gov't group and have the same result as number 4.
6. Corporate group works with any member of gov't group since they know gov't group is dependent on corporate group. End result = cycle continues and citizen group is duped into thinking that gov't group is dependent on them.
What's the conclusion from this scenario?
The citizen group is trying to influence the WRONG group.
Members of the citizen group spend all their time thinking they can have an impact on the gov't group, which they perceive to be the group that affects their lives. (It does, but not in a positive way) The citizen group needs to affect the corporate group, as it is that group that every member of any other groups are directly or indirectly affected by.
The threat that every member of the citizen group is under is directly caused by members of the corporate group. (corporate group here means the people that really benefit financially from being members of this group, i.e. not your average corporate employee) The members of the citizen group need to start lobbying members of the corporate group, i.e. their world headquarters, where ever they are to bring pressure on this group. Incessant picketing, done from public land, boycotting of their products and the media they support is where the energy of the citizen group must be directed to have any effect. Hitting the money (the bottom line) of the corporate group is where the power of the citizen group lies. The citizen group cannot expect to ever compete on a money basis with the corporate group to entice the gov't group to satisfy their needs. Long ago, when the corporate group was relatively insignificant to the citizen group that wasn't true. The dynamics have changed and changed in a huge way. The gov't group merely acts as a buffer between the citizen group and the corporate group. The gov't group has not represented the citizen group for a long time and under the grip of the corporate group will never again. It's not that we need 'more and better democrats', it's that we need 'more responsive and better corporations'.
If you made it this far, thanks for reading.