Monday, March 8, 2010

two systems

bakunin once said that he preferred a republic to a monarchy because "there are at least brief periods when the people, while continuously exploited, is not oppressed, in the monarchies, oppression is contant." i am unsure i can agree with this statement, because exploitation through illusion is a continuous mechanism within a republic. the illusion of power is a slight of hand that can produce cover, through complacency, for injustices of varying magnitudes. this isn't to say that authoritarianism is transparent. it just seems to prefer a different type of exhibitionism.

5 comments:

Bolo said...

I think it really depends on the size and nature of the republic too. One the size of the US pretty much requires that illusion, sleight of hand, etc. be used heavily, while a smaller republic may perhaps (just "perhaps") come closer to a genuine reflection of the people's will.

Additionally, in the current modern era with so much media saturation, the illusion of power can be so much greater and controlling than in earlier times.

Bolo said...

Note: I am only able to publish comments on your site if I choose the "Name/URL" option. Can't use Google Account of even anonymous... strange...

thebaronette said...

yeah, i could see how a smaller republic could potentially offer some legitimate power to the people, but exploitation is so pervasive that it is rather hard for me to imagine. in light of the Spectacle, his stance doesn't hold up quite so well.

that's weird about the identity options. i don't think anything has changed since the other day, but i'll look into it if it continues.

Soj said...

The difference is a monarchy is based upon pure genetic chance, a sort of Darwinian lottery if you will.

A republic, no matter how despotic, has a power structure composed of multiple people who have to expend some sort of effort to achieve and maintain their status. Therefore they are slightly more "fit" by necessity and therefore slightly more responsive to the public-at-large's needs.

It ain't much but if we're comparing rotten apples to slightly less rotting apples, there ya go ;)

Bolo said...

"that's weird about the identity options. i don't think anything has changed since the other day, but i'll look into it if it continues."

Actually, this has been happening for several weeks now. I've been trying to post but it hasn't let me, until I just hit upon using the Name/URL option. There's no email account listed here (that I could find), so I wasn't able to say anything. But then, if I'm the only one with the problem maybe its not really a problem. Especially since I seem to have found a solution.