Does a country ignorant of the fundamentals of its economy and the forces which motivate politicians to say what they say deserve its fate (if its fate becomes ill through corrupt decision-making)?
In other words, would the ignorance of a nation JUSTIFY the corruption of its political leaders? Since it wouldn't be impossible for people to become aware and insist on improvement- if people CHOOSE (by not actively informing themselves) to stay ignorant then does that in some way give permission to elected officials to exploit their ignorance for personal gain?
I think it's safe to say most people don't care about the economy (unless they're directly invested: business owners or stock holders would be some such people), as long as it's not falling apart - likewise with politics, unless there is some scandal going on or some petty infighting. But economics (and with it, politics) are at the core of our entire society; the whole of humanity is affected in one way or another by the decisions that politicians make, which are to an enormous extent (perhaps solely??) driven by market forces - it trickles down to employers, to employees, to families, to children - it affects technological progress, the environment, infrastructure, it affects what people think and care about - the media, the internet -religious awareness, social awareness - everything is linked to what politicians do (not necessarily what they say!) because their actions impose limits on what others can do. It's a chain reaction, from the highest to the lowest in society, the lowest being those without connections, without education, without rights; without moderation, the lowest are at the mercy of those at the top and can be metaphorically enslaved by having their viable choices cut down to nil. And what motivates politicians to act in moderation? The awareness that the public is watching what they do! If everyone and not just a small handful are actively participating in the political process (not just elections, but what comes AFTER that) then there's more of an incentive for politicians to do the right thing, and not cut corners simply because they have the opportunity. So if the public doesn't enforce this by making itself actively aware of what's going on, does it deserve whatever ill-fate it gets?
hope that wasn't too weirdly explained! *falls over backwards*
In other words, would the ignorance of a nation JUSTIFY the corruption of its political leaders? Since it wouldn't be impossible for people to become aware and insist on improvement- if people CHOOSE (by not actively informing themselves) to stay ignorant then does that in some way give permission to elected officials to exploit their ignorance for personal gain?
I think it's safe to say most people don't care about the economy (unless they're directly invested: business owners or stock holders would be some such people), as long as it's not falling apart - likewise with politics, unless there is some scandal going on or some petty infighting. But economics (and with it, politics) are at the core of our entire society; the whole of humanity is affected in one way or another by the decisions that politicians make, which are to an enormous extent (perhaps solely??) driven by market forces - it trickles down to employers, to employees, to families, to children - it affects technological progress, the environment, infrastructure, it affects what people think and care about - the media, the internet -religious awareness, social awareness - everything is linked to what politicians do (not necessarily what they say!) because their actions impose limits on what others can do. It's a chain reaction, from the highest to the lowest in society, the lowest being those without connections, without education, without rights; without moderation, the lowest are at the mercy of those at the top and can be metaphorically enslaved by having their viable choices cut down to nil. And what motivates politicians to act in moderation? The awareness that the public is watching what they do! If everyone and not just a small handful are actively participating in the political process (not just elections, but what comes AFTER that) then there's more of an incentive for politicians to do the right thing, and not cut corners simply because they have the opportunity. So if the public doesn't enforce this by making itself actively aware of what's going on, does it deserve whatever ill-fate it gets?
hope that wasn't too weirdly explained! *falls over backwards*
