Definition of (-cracy)Combined element forming nouns meaning “rule of the government by,” from Fr. -cratie or M.L. –cratia, from Gk. – kratia “power, might; rule, sway; power over; a power, authority, “from kratos “strength,” from PIE *kratus “power, strength” Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology 1995, Harper Collins
The greatest fallacy of the ages is the mistaken belief that American people rule themselves. It just isn’t so, folks, because you can use most any word as a prefix with the suffix: -cracy. Democracy is, allegedly, government by the people. In general it’s not possible in America because we live with a process and organic governmental organization deciding our elected President. It’s called the Electoral College and removes true democracy from the people.
We transfer the selection process from democratic to merit based where it becomes: Meritocracy – a government ruled by persons selected according to some arbitrary value. In America the meritocracy is based on political double-speak and the ability to present a better Public Relations campaign than another candidate. This leads to the creation of another sub-strata of governmental rule: Plutocracy – government by the wealthy because it takes a lot of money to start and maintain political campaigns. This allows such people to believe they’re chosen by divine selection as if they’re members of an Aristocracy.
It’s because of the belief system they’ve adapted and adopted these people conduct fiscal policies as a kleptocracy or rule by a class of thieves. This statement is not so much to insult but to explain the process of compromise used to accomplish political goals. When Peter gets consistently robbed to pay Paul you find you have Paul’s (and all of his brethren’s) collective support. Therefore, the aristocratic and kleptocratic society feels empowered to do whatever they please under the guise of it all being a God-given right to rule.
Bureaucracy is a lower level of this structure in government. The rule is transferred to another strata best controlled by the government deciding the operative power of that organization. The organization is placed in queue to align people’s movement through the systems the aristocracy uses to stay in power.
The aristocratic elements use their pre-supposed right and ability to devise rules and regulations to empower the bureaucracy to do their bidding. They do this by developing procedures controlling the manner and way governmental business is conducted. Rules and regulations are written in language only parliamentarians and lawyers can understand. Then the “rules and regs” are maintained in closed environments no normal citizen can gain access to or come to understand let alone use to their own benefit. This frees up the masters’ time to decide what is best used to keep the masters in control.
Because of the viewpoint of these people at the top, government is seen as being something only they can control and/or direct. To allow actual governmental direction to be placed in the hands of the people would be to unleash government to the hands of an Ochlocracy or “government by rabble”. It’s a concept they’d never allow to come to fruition.
The problem with all of this word-play is in the sure but deniable knowledge we as people allow this to happen because we’re lazy. We accepted the idea, years ago, that by placing our trust in selected personnel we get the government we desire. Truth is; we get the government we deserve. And at present we get more of it than we need. We have a President. We have Congressional Representatives. We have Senators. We have Councilmen and Mayors and Selectmen and Selectwomen. We elect, by what’s put before us, some of the least qualified but best packaged charlatans around. Political ideology creates the planks manifesting the platforms these people base their proposed representation on in the future. Too bad the wood is diseased, infected with the dry rot of wasted ambition and crumbling idealism that once propelled their thoughts toward the real betterment of their people. Principle lays down its life at the altar of political practicality no matter the origins of the ambition. It’s a shame.
Will Rogers once said: “Americans have the best politicians money can buy.”
Some would say we’ve bought a bunch of lemons.
Thanks for listening
