Power corrupts as it has always done, democratic Athens, Republican Rome, its human nature, it can't be helped, people want to dominate and they need power for that. Funnily enough there was a discussion over the growth of private industry in the US has gotten to the stage that there is no longer need for the state (political instutions etc) and that the private industry has too much power for the state, but that's an entire other discussion with the Tea Leaf Party etc (bunch of nutter, woops excuse me there).
Power doesn't corrupt, it is the people who seek power are the ones who become corrupted.
I think public office should be more like jury duty where people serve the nation for a period of time and are selected for their skill set, education and experience.
The problem is everyone running for office or wanting to own or run a mega-corporation are psychologically gone before they even get into power.
I am a major critic of the influence of the fourth estate (Mr Edmund Burke here) on influencing the policies and ideologies of parties since the late 1970s as the media power grows. Instead of holding the government accountable, they sensationalize everything, leaving those few journalists who actually have integrity (like the future Spitta2Azza) out in the cold so to speak.
We are going to the dogs as the Fifth Estate entrenches itself, the howling of the bloggers and social media. If you thought shit is bad now, we are literally being overrun by 'social justice warriors' determining policy. We are heading full on into Idiocracy. I hope my 'tone' isn't offending anyone. :stern look
I may disagree with socalist ideology being a Burkean style neo-conservative, but all systems have their values, socialism in giving some power and sharing the power with the people more, liberal capitalism in generating economic grow, conservatism in instilling positive traditions and highlighting the importance of tradition in the education system. We keep trying as a people to take the best bits and try to mash it together, but so far its failed in the Australia, because simply, Australian's are politically lazy and to a degree stubborn about change.
We don't like change, the fact we failed to become independent of the Commonwealth is testament to the fact we hate to change, even for the better.
The problem is we are not encouraged to think freely, to challenge the establishment, to look to improve, to grow beyond what we are now. Those who struggle to go beyond what they are have been holding on to the Liberal Market Economies (LMEs), such as USA, Australia, Canada, etc while those in Scandinavian Europe have been moving towards Coordinated Market Economies (CMEs) such as Germany, Sweden, Denmark, etc.
I think hybrid systems are viable, you just have to be progressive in your thinking.
I may also disagree with some of Kimbo's political leanings, but l see value in all political ideologies and too much power has been given to those who don't deserve it and l am far, far away from being a socialist, so that tells you something. Economic regulation, taxation and protection of certain industries (especially for manufacturing because we can't compete) and having the guts to tax certain companies (without seriously harming their growth potential) and use that to invest firstly in infrastructure and manufacturing as l believe manufacturing is the cornerstone of any strong economy (look at how well Germany is doing and is now the leader of Europe because of manufacturing).
Germany is a great example of the type of change that is possible if you are progressive thinking. We do not have to copy it but their hybrid system works very well and has ideals that are more compatible in terms of recognising the needs of the majority and ensuring despite the wealth accumulation of the rich, the lower classes have a good quality of life.
Our distribution of wealth is becoming even more lopsided than it was when we weren't leaning to the left as much as we do right now, our policies are a complete failure, it has just resulted in significant waste and the lining of pockets of those who are corrupt.