Reply #23: read and learn [View All]

[jowsybart]

you wrote:

"We disagree. "


Yes.

you wrote:
"I believe those progressive policies CAUSE progressive societies. Progressive societies didn't just 'happen' in Canada and Europe. "

So you have already said.


you wrote:
"They were created through the hard work of fighting conservative forces and implementing progressive policies. You seem to believe that some other, as yet undefined forces, cause progressive societies to appear which then enact progressive policies."

Social cohesion and cultural unity. Also good governmental structure. These are the forces that create the policies. Any western peoples who are non-diverse, united by a strong, cohesive culture will want these things--a strong welfare state, universal healthcare, progressive taxation, a military primarily for defense, etc. These desires are a natural function of a united, unified, homogeneous western culture.

That is how the force of the will of the people is created.

Now, on to effecting the will of the people.

And when the majority wants these things, if their governmental structure is correct, that is if the structure allows for a sufficienet degree of democracy, then the will of the people will be carried out.

What structure of govt allows for this degree of democracy? Parliamentarian structure of govt. That is, where the power of the government is primarily placed in the hands of politicians elected from small voting districts, in particular, districts that are relatively homogeneous and nondiverse. And these small, homogeneous, nondiverse districts ensure that the electorate shares a good deal of common interest. Thus the electorate is better able to elect politicians that represent the interests of the people and they are better able to hold these politicians accountable. WHen the electorate is divided, they cannot hold the politicians accountable.

The other western nations have parliamentarian govts. They are smaller nations, have smaller districts, and thus districts are less diverse, more homogeneous, and therefore more united. In addition, the demographic makeup of the other western nations means that their populace is less diverse, more homogeneous.

That creates the force that effects the will of the people.

These are the forces that are weak in america. Thus america cannot have those things that the other western nations have. A Mac truck has the power to pull 10 tons. An Audi does not. The other western nations have the aforementioned forces in play, and thus they have the things that we cannot have. Not unless we make over our nation in their image, heeding the rules of politics as outlined above.



you wrote:
"If so, why do we spend our time fighting for progressive taxes, strong unions, effective health care, a stronger safety net and better corporate regulation, when all we have to do is identify those undefined forces and these progressive policies will follow?"


You have not a clue what is going on. That is why you thrash and struggle in vain. You are like animals try to drive a car.