José Saramago, one of DT's favourite authors, says in a recent interview that "the world is governed by institutions that are not democratic - the World Bank, the IMF, the WTO. People live with the illusion that we have a democratic system, but it's only the outward form of one. In reality we live in a plutocracy, a government of the rich."
His solution is one which can be fully and thoughtfully embraced, the only exciting political idea I've heard in the last two years (other than impaling Bush and Blair and sticking their heads on pikes on the streets of London and DC respectively...)
"...we, as citizens, do have the power of the vote, but we always use it to vote for one or other of the parties on off er. But there is another possibility, which is to cast a blank vote.' He leans forward and points a stern finger. 'And this is not at all the same as abstention. Abstention means you stayed at home or went to the beach. By casting a blank vote, you're saying that you understand your responsibility, you have a political conscience and you came to vote, but you don't agree with any of the existing parties and this is the only way you have of saying so."
read more of Saramago's interview...
Geen opmerkingen:
Een reactie posten