I've been of the opinion, for some time now, that the next big advancement in the development of liberal democracy will be a recognition that maintaining a free society requires a strong constitutional prohibition against collusion between government and financial interests. I'd like to discuss here how that might be brought about sooner, rather than later.
I put this in the history section because much of my conviction that this is a good idea comes from our experience with similar collusion between government and religious interests. Some of the ugliest tyrannies in our past occurred with these two forms of power were combined.
There have been significant examples already of the dangers of business and government getting in bed together, but I think the worst is yet to come. I'm concerned that it will take a couple of serious bouts with corporatist fascism before we learn our lesson. But I do hope we might find a way to head it off at the pass - to steer around it before we see the worst of it.
I realize this idea isn't currently popular with either side of the political divide. And I'm willing to defend the idea and make my case to detractors. But I'm most interested in sharing ideas with people who do think it's a worthwhile goal.
I put this in the history section because much of my conviction that this is a good idea comes from our experience with similar collusion between government and religious interests. Some of the ugliest tyrannies in our past occurred with these two forms of power were combined.
There have been significant examples already of the dangers of business and government getting in bed together, but I think the worst is yet to come. I'm concerned that it will take a couple of serious bouts with corporatist fascism before we learn our lesson. But I do hope we might find a way to head it off at the pass - to steer around it before we see the worst of it.
I realize this idea isn't currently popular with either side of the political divide. And I'm willing to defend the idea and make my case to detractors. But I'm most interested in sharing ideas with people who do think it's a worthwhile goal.