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The Politics of the future

How to govern in the long term

By Peter RosePublished 3 years ago 5 min read
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The politics of the future

How to govern in the long term

Firstly let us be clear by what is meant by the words to be used.

Long Term is defined as 200 to 500 years

Socialism. dictionary definition:-the economic theory or system in which the means of production, distribution and exchange are owned by the state.

Socialism in practice; - demands the state have control over individual actions, aspirations, enterprises and even thoughts.

Socialism in history; – means the establishment of a one party state, a pretence of democracy since the only candidates in an election all have to be from the same political party. Dissent of any kind is suppressed. A personality cult for the leader is established. All production,distribution etc. are politically controlled. Efficiency, productivity, design, value to consumer etc. are all neglected since political control is the only objective. All aspects of life stop being subjected to practical analysis, everything is only measured by the level of political control. No measurement of satisfaction or effectiveness is allowed to surface. Management is by politicians not by technical expertise. Corruption expands, dissatisfaction is crushed. Tyranny and rule by elite become established-- i.e. Fascism becomes the governing system.

Anarchy –dictionary definition;- general lawlessness and disorder; the absence of government chaos with no guiding principles

Anarchy in practice- the strongest take from the weakest.

Anarchy in history-- resulted in the establishment of “Kingdoms,” areas ruled by individuals who held total power, over life, death, material wealth, over everybody and everything in that area.

Fascism- dictionary definition:- any doctrine or system regarded as opposed to democracy.

Capitalism-- dictionary definition:- an economic system based on private ownership of the means of production, distribution and exchange.

Capitalism in practice- if uncontrolled --results if all power being in the hands of the wealthy, who govern in practice regardless of what political veneer is used; their aims are to ensure they remain wealthy and in control. i.e. Fascism becomes the mode of government.

Capitalism in history-- Once the industrialisation of a nation has been established; this has proved self defeating, in that in order to generate constantly increasing wealth to the ruling elite they need to have constantly expanding production and sales, to the population. They also need this population to have the financial means of purchasing the produced goods (in order for the wealth to flow back to the elite) but this means they have to ensure the mass of the people have some wealth. As the populations increased and the means of production moved from being labour intensive to that of capital investment intensive; the sheer amount of capital needed increased and led to globalisation. Only by the wealthy elite banding together could they raise the finance to ensure production and sales keep expanding. Having expanded production they need to expand customer levels. A starving impoverished population can not afford to buy the goods which make the wealthy even more wealthy. So the elite have to ensure the population have some level of education and some mechanism to gain a moderate level of wealth. This obviously leads to knowledge, understanding and dissatisfaction with the different levels of wealth.

What else is left as a method of government for the future? All of the above have faults that will always lead to eventual collapse. There has been a rise in what is called, by those in control, liberal politics. There is also a world wide growth in what is termed the Green movement The effect of both their policies is a form of socialism that while not extreme in its published agendas; does contain a requirement for the state to have control over a greater part of individual lives. This is especially so with “Green” policy. Which is odd since so many of the genuine believers in all things sustainable and organic, are also very individualistic with a reliance on artisan production.

A form of controlled capitalism, one where the government is truly democratic, where the use of secret ballots and referendums are the only means of selecting governmental policy would seem the best answer. Globalisation of capital has to be curtailed. Financial speculation has to be eliminated, genuine investment is encouraged but all forms of financial manipulation is illegal with very harsh punishment for those who indulge in this. While entrepreneurial excellence is encouraged and those investing in enterprises gain, if the enterprise is successful, a reward for their investment. Control over the measurement of success is left to market forces but the pay and conditions of the workforce has to stay within limits establish by the state. All employees, from board members down to lowest responsibility operative, have a share in the profits made by the enterprise. This to become obligatory.

The state to be responsible for the basic infrastructure, transport, security, health care, welfare of the unemployed or retired and the long term sick and for education. State employees to be subject to commercial levels of productivity and efficiency. Embracing science and the advance of automated equipment, to improve efficiency, has to be part of a cooperation between unions and management. National governments should set up research centres, where long term research , without preconceived aims, is science based and interested in fact finding. Study without predetermined objectives, into all aspects of the future can be established. The state funds these research and if any findings are deemed commercially valuable then the state and the research institute jointly own any patent rights and the income from these is shared between the state and every employee at the research institute.

It is an obvious that populations in every nation are increasing at levels that most people realise, are not sustainable in the long run. Over the next 200 to 500 years there will be changes to the very structure of world wide politics. This may “go” in various ways. Nations may become insular and introvert, seeking to prevent movement across borders as part of a drive to restrict their own populations to manageable levels. It may be that some catastrophic “natural” event- pandemic- world wide famine- drastic shifts in tectonic plates, sudden and real global climate reduction to bring in an new ice age; force change on the whole world. Such “natural” events will reduces the population and totally changes the political dynamics all round the world. Of course it is also possible than humans behave rationally and constructively, nations sharing with nations to spread a gradual reduction of over population until a sustainable level is reached.

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About the Creator

Peter Rose

Collections of "my" vocal essays with additions, are available as printed books ASIN 197680615 and 1980878536 also some fictional works and some e books available at Amazon;-

amazon.com/author/healthandfunpeterrose

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