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ArishMell · 70-79, M
No.
I think the USA is too strong to let herself fall into tyranny, but does have deep internal problems and divisions ripe for exploiting by the few rather than solving by the many.
America is not alone in that, but solving them can only be by a country's own residents by its own constitutional means.
As a foreigner I am not embroiled in those divisions I see played out in bitter insult-hurling rather than any analytical discussion on here, but I accept SW might not mirror real American life generally. Instead I think democracy generally under attack from several quarters and not only in the USA:
- Determined part-political extremism, of Right and Left though the former perhaps the stronger. These work by finding and exploiting widespread social ideas and fears.
- Attacks against democratic countries from hostile states - in America mostly on-line, but around Europe also by physical sabotage and murders.
- Manipulation by powerful publishers, particularly now the handful of very wealthy men who own the major [anti?]social media businesses and commercial TV companies, where not obliged to be objective and to clearly differentiate between news and views..
- Manipulation by individuals who themselves are not business people, politicians or foreign agents; but who delight in spreading "conspiracy theories" and so-called "mis"- or "dis-" information generally. Lies, in plain English.
- Ignorance and negligence by those who isolate themselves from anything not agreeing with their opinions, however mistaken. Are perhaps unable or are too lazy to question, to think, to examine in detail, to accept others' views even if not agreeing. This is reinforced by social-media sites that are designed to spot users' interests or opinions and steer them only in those directions.
I think the USA is too strong to let herself fall into tyranny, but does have deep internal problems and divisions ripe for exploiting by the few rather than solving by the many.
America is not alone in that, but solving them can only be by a country's own residents by its own constitutional means.
As a foreigner I am not embroiled in those divisions I see played out in bitter insult-hurling rather than any analytical discussion on here, but I accept SW might not mirror real American life generally. Instead I think democracy generally under attack from several quarters and not only in the USA:
- Determined part-political extremism, of Right and Left though the former perhaps the stronger. These work by finding and exploiting widespread social ideas and fears.
- Attacks against democratic countries from hostile states - in America mostly on-line, but around Europe also by physical sabotage and murders.
- Manipulation by powerful publishers, particularly now the handful of very wealthy men who own the major [anti?]social media businesses and commercial TV companies, where not obliged to be objective and to clearly differentiate between news and views..
- Manipulation by individuals who themselves are not business people, politicians or foreign agents; but who delight in spreading "conspiracy theories" and so-called "mis"- or "dis-" information generally. Lies, in plain English.
- Ignorance and negligence by those who isolate themselves from anything not agreeing with their opinions, however mistaken. Are perhaps unable or are too lazy to question, to think, to examine in detail, to accept others' views even if not agreeing. This is reinforced by social-media sites that are designed to spot users' interests or opinions and steer them only in those directions.