Notable Quotable

"...we need to understand how the idea of democracy is wielded in popular imagination to preserve the status quo. If the masses are constantly told they can change those political realities they disagree with in the next voting cycle, radical change in the “now” is quelled. Unethical business transactions by politicians or deadly bombings overseas, under this symbolic democracy, are not seen as systemic realities inherent in the governmental system but temporary decisions that can be corrected by voting in a new official. Indeed, that Donald Trump droned the same community in Yemen as Barrack Obama is not a surprise, because they are both part of the governmental system. Yet because we are told we can vote people in and out of office we assume drone strikes will cease as soon as we elect another president. My point is that a symbolic democracy maintains the status quo by making us think in election cycles that we allegedly have control over and not systemic realities that will continue until the structures of power are dismantled, no matter who is in office."
-Dr. Jorge J. Rodriguez V

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