It looks like the democratic game is rigged and democratic life is real only inside fewer and fewer deluded minds.
Japan looks like an extreme example, but I think the veil that hides the reality of contemporary democratic systems more generally is being ripped open.
By 'democratic life' I mean a complex system made of a plurality of parties, all aiming at their country's best interests and at the people's wellbeing by means of different policies and fundameental principles, media that are the watchdog of the people and not of political and economic power, an education system that educates free thinkers and competent citizens, and citizens who are involved in social life, freely and openly discuss political matters, freely organise themselves in civic political action when necessary, and think critically about the status quo and ways to improve on it.
I like your definition of 'democratic life'. It is certainly something that does not exist easily. I am not sure if there is a country today that fits such a definition perfectly. Maybe Switzerland. I also have the feeling that many governments do not really want such a democratic life to be effective. I would be interested to hear what you think about the situation in Italy.
Life is messy and can hardly fit nicely into the parameters of a definition. So, I treat my definition of 'democratic life' somewhat like some sort of regulative concept akin to Kant's idea of morality. But, a concept we should tend to approximate as much as we can nonetheless.
Italy is just a beautiful country without much margin for self-determination, if at all.
It's almost always been an occupied country throughout history (the Roman empire being the exception, but then it was Rome, not Italy) and with all the NATO military bases within the territory, its productive and economic capacities depleted, and its weak, narrow-minded, self-serving politicians whose every decision has contributed to taking down the country and making people's lives harder, I can only say that the state of the art as far as democracy goes is a sad joke.
You'll find center-left and right parties/coalitions taking turns at every election in-between technocratic governments led by unscrupulous bankers like Monti and Draghi, but there isn't a substantial difference between the two factions, just petulant, constant bickering and mutual accusations of this, that, and the other. But, it's enough to distract people and trick (some people, thank goodness fewer and fewer) people into believing that we live in a democracy and that their vote counts.
Thank you for your explanation, it makes sense of the discussion I have heard here in Japan from Italian scholars. There are many similarities with Japan, but probably one of the biggest differences is that Japan is not part of something like the European Union.
That makes them at least in a position to manage their own enormous public debt as they see fit, or, depending on how one sees it, they don't have that superstructure to use as a scapegoat for some crazy and self-destructive political and economic choices.
I was looking for a venue for a book launch in London and came across a hotel that had never been bombed during the war. To my surprise it had been used as a guide for the Luftwaffe because of four turrets... for the bombing of London in WWII. Then, looking further into this building there was a blue plaque on it for The Fabian Society.... Founded in January 1884. I thought this was odd... The Fabian Principle is where frontal assaults are avoided in favour of wearing down an opponent through a war of attrition. It actually was the beginning of a Labour movement to counteract the Conservatives and Liberals of that time. Then discovered that every Labour 'democratic' party member who rose to the top all belonged and still do to The Fabian Society. My biggest surprise was the fact that George Bernard Shaw financed it originally. However, the current party in the UK is not favoured by the elderly because of loss of winter heating help and the media is being very scathing of it at the moment. I do not usually involve myself too much in politics but looking forward it seems very much like Big Brother is watching, and also this rising of career politicians in the world who are not aligning themselves with assisting families or farmers at home, but more interested in foreign policy that is more likely to end in wars over controlling commodities and lands elsewhere. Poking Bears does not help. ***
Thank you for your explanation. I didn't know the history of the Fabian Society. I totally agree with you about those politicians who are more concerned with international politics (probably seen as more prestigious) than dealing with poverty, precarity and sectors like agriculture that form the basis for any other political action. Of course international issues should be addressed, but not looking at what is happening in your own country is bad politics, it clearly feeds various forms of populism. The sad thing is that a comparable movement already happened in Europe in the interwar period...
Studied various systems of government in college. One of which was Japan. It seems the present Democrat Party, is copying the Liberal Democratic Party, in the game of musical chairs.
Hi Michael. I suppose you mean that the American Democratic Party is copying its Japanese counterpart? I wouldn't be surprised. They are probably both learning from each other these days.
When I read books on Japanese politics, the thing that fascinates me the most is the strong relationship between Japanese and American politics from the end of World War II until today. At first glance, you might think this is natural, but it clearly goes beyond anything normal, because it includes American funding of the Japanese LDP, hobbyism, and so on.
Always a pleasure to answer your question. Sincerely. I can write something in the coming weeks if you are interested in the American intervention in the LDP, at least what is known...
Thank you for this insight.
It looks like the democratic game is rigged and democratic life is real only inside fewer and fewer deluded minds.
Japan looks like an extreme example, but I think the veil that hides the reality of contemporary democratic systems more generally is being ripped open.
By 'democratic life' I mean a complex system made of a plurality of parties, all aiming at their country's best interests and at the people's wellbeing by means of different policies and fundameental principles, media that are the watchdog of the people and not of political and economic power, an education system that educates free thinkers and competent citizens, and citizens who are involved in social life, freely and openly discuss political matters, freely organise themselves in civic political action when necessary, and think critically about the status quo and ways to improve on it.
I like your definition of 'democratic life'. It is certainly something that does not exist easily. I am not sure if there is a country today that fits such a definition perfectly. Maybe Switzerland. I also have the feeling that many governments do not really want such a democratic life to be effective. I would be interested to hear what you think about the situation in Italy.
Life is messy and can hardly fit nicely into the parameters of a definition. So, I treat my definition of 'democratic life' somewhat like some sort of regulative concept akin to Kant's idea of morality. But, a concept we should tend to approximate as much as we can nonetheless.
Italy is just a beautiful country without much margin for self-determination, if at all.
It's almost always been an occupied country throughout history (the Roman empire being the exception, but then it was Rome, not Italy) and with all the NATO military bases within the territory, its productive and economic capacities depleted, and its weak, narrow-minded, self-serving politicians whose every decision has contributed to taking down the country and making people's lives harder, I can only say that the state of the art as far as democracy goes is a sad joke.
You'll find center-left and right parties/coalitions taking turns at every election in-between technocratic governments led by unscrupulous bankers like Monti and Draghi, but there isn't a substantial difference between the two factions, just petulant, constant bickering and mutual accusations of this, that, and the other. But, it's enough to distract people and trick (some people, thank goodness fewer and fewer) people into believing that we live in a democracy and that their vote counts.
Thank you for your explanation, it makes sense of the discussion I have heard here in Japan from Italian scholars. There are many similarities with Japan, but probably one of the biggest differences is that Japan is not part of something like the European Union.
That makes them at least in a position to manage their own enormous public debt as they see fit, or, depending on how one sees it, they don't have that superstructure to use as a scapegoat for some crazy and self-destructive political and economic choices.
I was looking for a venue for a book launch in London and came across a hotel that had never been bombed during the war. To my surprise it had been used as a guide for the Luftwaffe because of four turrets... for the bombing of London in WWII. Then, looking further into this building there was a blue plaque on it for The Fabian Society.... Founded in January 1884. I thought this was odd... The Fabian Principle is where frontal assaults are avoided in favour of wearing down an opponent through a war of attrition. It actually was the beginning of a Labour movement to counteract the Conservatives and Liberals of that time. Then discovered that every Labour 'democratic' party member who rose to the top all belonged and still do to The Fabian Society. My biggest surprise was the fact that George Bernard Shaw financed it originally. However, the current party in the UK is not favoured by the elderly because of loss of winter heating help and the media is being very scathing of it at the moment. I do not usually involve myself too much in politics but looking forward it seems very much like Big Brother is watching, and also this rising of career politicians in the world who are not aligning themselves with assisting families or farmers at home, but more interested in foreign policy that is more likely to end in wars over controlling commodities and lands elsewhere. Poking Bears does not help. ***
Thank you for your explanation. I didn't know the history of the Fabian Society. I totally agree with you about those politicians who are more concerned with international politics (probably seen as more prestigious) than dealing with poverty, precarity and sectors like agriculture that form the basis for any other political action. Of course international issues should be addressed, but not looking at what is happening in your own country is bad politics, it clearly feeds various forms of populism. The sad thing is that a comparable movement already happened in Europe in the interwar period...
Studied various systems of government in college. One of which was Japan. It seems the present Democrat Party, is copying the Liberal Democratic Party, in the game of musical chairs.
Hi Michael. I suppose you mean that the American Democratic Party is copying its Japanese counterpart? I wouldn't be surprised. They are probably both learning from each other these days.
When I read books on Japanese politics, the thing that fascinates me the most is the strong relationship between Japanese and American politics from the end of World War II until today. At first glance, you might think this is natural, but it clearly goes beyond anything normal, because it includes American funding of the Japanese LDP, hobbyism, and so on.
Your assumption is correct.
Was unaware that the U.S. Government was paying to keep the LDP in office, but it does not surprise me.
Thank you for your kind response.
Always a pleasure to answer your question. Sincerely. I can write something in the coming weeks if you are interested in the American intervention in the LDP, at least what is known...
While that would interest me, am not sure about the rest of your readers. In any case, thank you for the kind thought and intention.
I can wait a few weeks! Have a nice weekend.
Do the same and enjoy!