Who has the real political power in a country, its leaders or its citizens?

Question

I am asking in GENERAL, not within the context of democracy or autocracy. What I would like to know is the THEORY of government in general. Does real political power rest in the hands of the few that form the government and its citizens are at their mercy, in the hands of its citizens with the leaders simply empowered by the people, some mixture of the two, or something else completely different. Well thought-out answers are encouraged, and thanks in advance.

Answer 1

The critical word in this very interesting question is the one letter word "a"....Who has the real political power in "A country"? If the country is ruled by a dictatorship the answer is its leader. If it a democracy, then the people have the power. The trick is to discern the difference, and unfortunately, that is more and more difficult. The media is too often, telling us we live in a democracy when we live in a "media dictatorship":


http://www.democrats.com/node/11071

In a media dictatorship, neither the dictatorial leader nor the people have the real power. George K. O'Neill said:

"Dictators have always played on the natural human tendency to blame others and to oversimplify"

The fact that the Republicans now control the media in America may not be ultimately significant, since the Democats could equally misuse that power if they had it.

What is important are the strategies of the media. They seem to be telling us what we should think and in many cases even telling us what we, as citizens, MUST think. If we do not begin to make up our own minds,, we may ultimately lose the battle to make democracy the dominate form of government. That seems to me a battle we cannot afford to lose.

Answer 2

In answer to your lead question, the people have the power and always have. Whether they use it or not is up to them.

What we have in the states is far from perfect but the best going right now from what I can see. Still it’s a two evil thing. More party choices with their varied platforms would not help, as it would not be a true general representation of the public. Of course did that ever exist in the US?

I enjoy how our government is a living evolving entity. Many would be surprised to learn that Lincoln was a republican. Obliviously that party has changed its agendas over the years. It’s the ability to evolve that makes our system work.

If asked I would say I tend to lean to the thoughts of Gore Vidal. Key word is “lean”. Until it personally effects me (and I think I speak for the rest of the populace, like it or not) we will stay on the sidelines offering only minimum change such as the recent election. Should things escalate like reinstitution of the draft then we’ll see the walls dismantled but only in small increments. There will never be a revolution only periodic face-lifts.

I do like the term “media dictatorship” from above but who is in control of the media? Maybe one day with the growth of the Internet, blogs and access to world opinion things will change for the better. I really think the Internet has the potential to change the world the way the printing press did in the 1400’s.

Answer 3

I believe it's a mixture of the two but that the largest percentage of the power rests in the leader's hands. Our country can be used as an example of this. We have a certain degree of power because we can petition, protest, vote, etc. but our decisions are ultimately based on what we see in the media and the propaganda that is all around us. Many real issues get covered up or glossed over or simply lied about by our leaders. It's a nice fantasy to think of leaders as serving the people but in all honesty leaders are self serving. They serve themselves, their careers in politics, and those around them that can afford their services. The masses are secondary in this equation. It is also very common for people to feel helpless and lost in the sea of information that is thrust at us and other times bewildered by the lack of information or deluge of lies and half truths that make any sort of truth based or objective opinion virtually impossible and it's these scenarios that give leaders power over the people.

Answer 4

Because of time, it would be impossible to adequately answer your question and for that I apologize. However, I would like to offer you a resource, so that you can better research your topic: I suggest that you pick up several books by David Icke. He is very radical in his views but you won't find normal run of the mill answers either.

Sorry for not being more thorough and take care,

James

Answer 5

The gov guys have the control-- they are certainly swayed though by their "sponsors" (read - lobbyists, those who helped them get in power) and then by public sentiment which is swayed by the media.

History has shown that the people have little power in a stable government. Its only when there is revolution or other widespread dissent that drastic changes happen.

Answer 6

Bush has all the power. Is he not sending our 20,000 troops over to Bagdad even after we the people told him we didnt want that to happen by electing democrates in the house as majority leaders?

Answer 7

The Government has the power,if they want it and you don't,they get it.if the people want it and the Government don't the people miss out again,too many people are just sheep-She'll be right mate is their only answer.

Answer 8

Whoever controls the media, controls the masses. The media reports what it wants the people to hear, thus insuring the election of it's preferred candidates.

Answer 9

The media controls the people the people elect the officials the officials are bought by companies who own the media.

Answer 10

The elite corporate wealthy ruling class! They are the puppet masters buying, selling & planting lawmakers!