The two parties play an indispensable role in society's political machinery. This doesn't mean they have any real power, in terms of controlling the state or setting policy. It means that without the existence of the Two Party System, the US could no longer maintain the pretense that it's a "democracy."
Neither Party is the "lesser evil;" they are auxiliary subdivisions of the same evil.
To understand the political system, one must step back and regard its operation as an integrated whole. The system can't be properly understood if one's study of it begins with an uncritical acceptance of the 2-party system, and the conventional characterizations of the two parties.
If either Party disintegrated tomorrow, the US would be revealed for what it really is -- a One-Party state ruled by a narrow alliance of business interests. Both party's true function is largely theatrical.
Thus the whole magic of The Two Party Show -- the essential service it renders to the US power structure -- lies not in what they do, but in their mere existence: by simply existing, and doing nothing other than serving their corporate masters, they pretend to be something they are not; and this is enough to relieve despair and to let the system portray itself as a "democracy."
As long as the two parties exist, most Americans will believe we have a "democracy" and a "choice" in how we are ruled. They will not despair, and will not revolt, as long as they have this hope for "change within the system."
From the system's point of view, this mechanism serves as the ultimate safety valve -- it insures against a despairing populace, thus eliminates the threat of rebellion; yet guarantees that no serious change to the system will be mounted.
Any given piece of reactionary legislation is invariably supported by a higher percentage of Republicans during one term or by Democrats the next. Does this show that one or the other is the "lesser evil?" If one focuses on the noble efforts of a few outspoken dissenters, it's easy to feel that on any given issue one party is somewhat less evil. But in the larger picture, Party D invariably submits to what Party R more ardently promulgates until the next issue where the script gets flipped.
Thus the overall function of the system is not to fight for everyday people, but to trick the political consumers into participating in this totalitarian process.
Just as the Harlem Globetrotters need their Washington Generals to make their basketball games properly entertaining, Republicans and Democrats need each other for effective staging of the political show.
The two major political parties constitute a bipartisan dictatorship that is anchored by a shared guaranteed ballot access arrangement where both function as a controlled opposition for each other while preventing third parties from getting on the ballot to compete with both of them.
This is an excellent post, even though I just skimmed it because I really have to do some house chores! and now I need to put on belly dancing music to get myself in gear. I really wish I had a guru who would help me organize my life.
I have always loved the two Wings on the same bird thing. It is so obvious, but so many of my friends are captured by the Trump is going to end democracy narrative, Trump derangement syndrome right?
The two parties play an indispensable role in society's political machinery. This doesn't mean they have any real power, in terms of controlling the state or setting policy. It means that without the existence of the Two Party System, the US could no longer maintain the pretense that it's a "democracy."
Neither Party is the "lesser evil;" they are auxiliary subdivisions of the same evil.
To understand the political system, one must step back and regard its operation as an integrated whole. The system can't be properly understood if one's study of it begins with an uncritical acceptance of the 2-party system, and the conventional characterizations of the two parties.
If either Party disintegrated tomorrow, the US would be revealed for what it really is -- a One-Party state ruled by a narrow alliance of business interests. Both party's true function is largely theatrical.
Thus the whole magic of The Two Party Show -- the essential service it renders to the US power structure -- lies not in what they do, but in their mere existence: by simply existing, and doing nothing other than serving their corporate masters, they pretend to be something they are not; and this is enough to relieve despair and to let the system portray itself as a "democracy."
As long as the two parties exist, most Americans will believe we have a "democracy" and a "choice" in how we are ruled. They will not despair, and will not revolt, as long as they have this hope for "change within the system."
From the system's point of view, this mechanism serves as the ultimate safety valve -- it insures against a despairing populace, thus eliminates the threat of rebellion; yet guarantees that no serious change to the system will be mounted.
Any given piece of reactionary legislation is invariably supported by a higher percentage of Republicans during one term or by Democrats the next. Does this show that one or the other is the "lesser evil?" If one focuses on the noble efforts of a few outspoken dissenters, it's easy to feel that on any given issue one party is somewhat less evil. But in the larger picture, Party D invariably submits to what Party R more ardently promulgates until the next issue where the script gets flipped.
Thus the overall function of the system is not to fight for everyday people, but to trick the political consumers into participating in this totalitarian process.
Just as the Harlem Globetrotters need their Washington Generals to make their basketball games properly entertaining, Republicans and Democrats need each other for effective staging of the political show.
Well said. I learned the hard way. I got involved for a little while. And I learned it is hopeless.
WELL SAID 👏
The two major political parties constitute a bipartisan dictatorship that is anchored by a shared guaranteed ballot access arrangement where both function as a controlled opposition for each other while preventing third parties from getting on the ballot to compete with both of them.
That is a very good description.
https://timothywiney.substack.com/p/david-knight-had-trumps-number-very
JD - That "same bird" has never cared about you, your family, your health or welfare. The Uniparty in action... https://imgflip.com/i/8lkxa0
Yeah, Animal Farm.
This is an excellent post, even though I just skimmed it because I really have to do some house chores! and now I need to put on belly dancing music to get myself in gear. I really wish I had a guru who would help me organize my life.
I have always loved the two Wings on the same bird thing. It is so obvious, but so many of my friends are captured by the Trump is going to end democracy narrative, Trump derangement syndrome right?
East vs. West style leadership. Interesting!
Enjoy, belly dancing music sounds fun.