Category Archives: power and democracy

Propaganda that stokes fear controls the masses

“the only thing we have to fear is … fear itself — nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance” … Franklin D Roosevelt (1933 Inaugural Address) Fear is created by propaganda. Fear paralyses. Fear controls the masses. … Continue reading

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Historic rivalries, oil and interference … a toxic mix

“There are decades where nothing happens; and there are weeks where decades happen.” … Vladimir Lenin It feels like we might be in one of those “weeks” … From this distance the Middle East looks unbelievably complex. Scant few can … Continue reading

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Politicians under pressure … democracy tested

Five or more years past the global financial crisis we are seeing more big trends that show just what a tipping point 2008 was. In 2008 and 2009 many changes were obvious: falling stock markets; falling prices; wealth destruction; massive … Continue reading

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Power and democracy … who rules?

Yesterday, whilst pondering “the entitlement to rule” attitude of those in power, I was reminded of a personal experience just about 13 years ago. For 20 minutes or more I sat next to James A Baker III on a bus. … Continue reading

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