Political system faces 'meltdown'

[lovuian]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/4753876.stm

Britain's political system is in danger of "meltdown" if major changes are not made, an independent report says.
The Power Inquiry, chaired by Baroness Helena Kennedy, says voters feel they have little influence over decisions affecting their lives.

The inquiry's Power to the People report calls for a shift in control from ministers to parliament, and from central to local government.

snip...
It cites the record low turnouts in the 2001 and 2005 general elections and falling membership of political parties as proof that "the current way of doing politics is killing politics".

"Politics and government are increasingly in the hands of privileged elites, as if democracy has run out of steam," Lady Kennedy said.

"Too often, citizens are being evicted from decision-making, rarely asked to get involved and rarely listened to."

As a result, people were turning away from voting and formal politics in favour of direct action and single-issue campaigns
more...

The same tactics in Britain are being used in America...