Oligarchy
Quote:
|
(Greek Ὀλιγαρχία, Oligarkhía) is a form of government where political power effectively rests with a small, elite segment of society (whether distinguished by wealth, family or military prowess). The word oligarchy is from the Greek words for "few" (ὀλίγον óligon) and "rule" (ἄρχω arkho).
|
this is what oligarchy looks like. the democrats jerked to the right across the 1980s not because it made sense in terms of the country, but because they decided that it was a good idea of follow the polls at the time and transform themselves into moderate republicans. within a oligarchy, faction rotation looks like this: parties represent different tactical positions arrayed within a general agreement as to strategic goals.
i understand the impulse to do something rash like vote libertarian--i wouldnt do it as i think libertarian politics less coherent than anarchism and there is no anarchist candidate. but in the present context, host is right about what it means.
and casting a balnk ballot is very different from not voting: blank ballots allow for the electorate to actively protest the election itself. not voting does not allow for that. you simply drop outside the set of those who vote. in french elections, you can vote with a blank ballot--it has interesting effects at times. in the american system, it is apparently the case that there can be no problems with the elections and that if you voter have a problem with the election then you can join that vast percentage of people who do not vote. which of course also means that you rejection of a particular election gets blurred into your not having paid attention, so there really is no space for that gesture. but hey, the americans like to think their degenerate political system is perfect, so perhaps that doesnt bother you.