Why democracies are becoming empty shells and there are no other alternatives. Is consumerism the culprit?

Question

The number of votes won is not the clincher for who governs,
The elected representatives cease to represent after coming to power or assume whatever office,
Pressure groups don’t represent the majority of voters
And eventually laws favor corporate tyranny over the market. etc, etc.

Answer 1

The term "consumerism" usually turns me off to most questions because, like neo-con, it is usually misused. However the idea of consumerism is what is wrong with the electoral system we have.

Consumerism comes into play because special interest groups and corporations buy the political candidates in the form of contributions to state and national political organizations and to the candidate himself. This creates an obligation on the party of the elected legislator who repays this debt by giving special consideration in the form of designer legislation (i prefer the more vulgar phrase "gives them a reach around" to describe this transaction).

Then shortly before elections the legislators buy votes, usually by creating feel good legislation that makes the voters, or at least some special interests, get the warm fuzzies and want to re-elect the perpetrators.

Answer 2

You mean capitalism. And yes,democracies have become an empty shell...a far cry from the original preamble. There is no true democracies anymore, but capitalist states. Look what happened to the USSR. They got capitalism and the mafia took over. In Russia capitalism is represented by money and the black market, not free election or human rights. Even in the US, lobbyist control campaign money and mine and your vote don't matter much anymore. And we want to spread this around the world?

Answer 3

No Consumerism has nothing to do with it. We have a fundamentally flawed election system. Lobbyists would have no door into politics if it weren't for the exorbinant cost of running for office. Our electoral college means that states with high voter turnout and high electoral counts are the only ones that matter in re-election campaigns. Presidents are allowed to sway policy or even declare war to influence elections. Until our electoral process is reformed nothing will change in America.

Answer 4

I don't agree that they are becoming shells, Lethargic maybe, "fat & lazy", Less occupied with high ideals and more secular, but that's a description of the citizens of todays democracies, who have been enjoying a growing sense of freedom and lessening sense of patriotism.
The war on terror is changing all that.

Answer 5

Sheep syndrome.

Answer 6

what views of the majority do you think are being ignored? if you can point some out maybe i can give you an answer.

Answer 7

People are the problem. Most of us are sheep.

If people are looking for who to blame they need only look in the mirror.

Answer 8

What makes you think so-

Answer 9

I would say so.

Answer 10

good point,,