How does a democracy evolve into an oligarchy?

[moondust]

Just wondering.

[Laelth]

1. Interesting question.

Ultimately, our Democracy IS an oligarchy, and always has been. It is naive to believe otherwise, imho.

In fact, I have argued that "the people" have more power over their government now than they have at any other point in history. That argument is here:

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/Laelth/36

We are merely becoming aware, as a people, that our oligarchy is not the "democracy" we were taught about in school. This is a painful learning experience.

-Laelth

[kentuck]

2. By compromise.

Eventually we compromise away everything to the interests of the wealthy.

[Dhalgren]

3. It has always been an "oligarchy". The "democracy" thing has been

a tool, nothing more.

[kctim]

4. Other

It evolves into one when 'the people' give up their individual rights to the government in exchange for government to provide for them. Once that has been accomplished, the special interest groups move into government and use it to control the people.

[muriel_volestrangler]

5. Money,advertising and gerrymandering (nt)

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

6. ...and greed.

[Motown_Johnny]

7. either or a combination, not necessarily both

[conspirator]

8. When it was never democracy in the first place. It only looked like it because of

continued economic growth based on exploiting South America and Africa.
That economic growth allowed the middle class to climb the ladder of wealth.
Now earth resources are being pushed to a limit and we will see the fascist face of rich people

[Javaman]

9. Stack the supreme court with ultra right wing assholes then appoint

a puppet* who only wants to clear brush and check the baseball scores. Then force him* to defer to his 2nd in charge to make all the rules.

Then appoint more ultra right wing assholes to the supreme court to further destroy what was left of our freedoms.

Then have a public become apathetic due to our "elected" officials ignoring them.

Pump in copious amounts of money from the corporations which create an elected body more bound to the dollar than to what is right and here we are.

[leeroysphitz]

10. Wouldn't that be considered DEvolving?