[lbo-talk] Arab Spring: The Libyan Remix

[// ravi]

On Aug 27, 2011, at 3:39 PM, Marv Gandall wrote:
> On 2011-08-27, at 2:15 PM, // ravi wrote:
>> On Aug 27, 2011, at 11:04 AM, Fernando Cassia wrote:
>>> On Wed, Aug 24, 2011 at 18:32, Carrol Cox <cbcox at ilstu.edu> wrote:
>>>> Among all the weaker nations, independence probably depends on having an
>>>> authoritarian state. Eventually Venezuela, Bolivia, and Equador will
>>>> probably have to abolish elections or give in to being dependencies of the
>>>> U.S
>>> 
>>> Ridiculous, hideous argument.
>> 
>> Carrol’s point, I would guess, is that so-called democratic institutions and processes are susceptible to being manipulated both by local oligarchs and the OECD/IMF nations with whom they collude. It’s a legitimate concern, isn’t it? What do you say to that?
> 
> Why stop there? Congress and Parliaments in the developed countries are similarly "susceptible to being manipulated" by the rich and powerful, which is understating it. Of course, it's a "legitimate concern", but it doesn't follow that the solution is to abolish these institutions and elections and transfer power to a single party or strongman to rule by decree. Evidently, Ravi hasn't been following this thread. 

True, I haven’t been following the thread. I will check it out now using Lion’s super cool “Conversations” feature :-). I am curious about what other options there are… I am not saying there aren’t! (perhaps strong constitutional amendments restricting foreign involvement, investment, limits on campaign funding/spending, etc).

	—ravi