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Political Power and the Collapse of Citizenship

Milton Bell

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Ambition in America: Political Power and the Collapse of Citizenship

by Jeffrey A. Becker

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Political power has become increasingly concentrated in the hands of a few, leading to a decline in citizenship and the erosion of democratic values. This trend is evident in both developed and developing countries, and it is having a profound impact on the way we live our lives.

The Causes of the Concentration of Political Power

There are a number of factors that have contributed to the concentration of political power in the hands of a few. These include:

The rise of global corporations. Global corporations have become increasingly powerful in recent decades, and they have used their wealth and influence to shape public policy in their favor. This has led to a decline in the power of governments and a corresponding increase in the power of corporations.
The decline of labor unions. Labor unions have traditionally been a countervailing force to corporate power. However, the decline of labor unions in recent decades has left workers with less power to bargain for better wages and working conditions. This has further contributed to the concentration of wealth and power in the hands of a few.
The rise of social media. Social media has made it easier for people to connect with each other and to share information. However, it has also made it easier for politicians and other elites to spread misinformation and propaganda. This has led to a decline in trust in institutions and a corresponding increase in support for populist leaders.

The Consequences of the Concentration of Political Power

The concentration of political power in the hands of a few has a number of negative consequences for citizenship and democracy. These consequences include:

A decline in civic participation. When people feel that they have no power to influence the decisions that are made about their lives, they are less likely to participate in civic activities. This decline in civic participation is a threat to democracy, as it makes it more difficult for citizens to hold their leaders accountable.
An erosion of democratic values. The concentration of political power in the hands of a few can lead to an erosion of democratic values, such as freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and the rule of law. This is because elites may use their power to suppress dissent and to silence their critics.
An increase in inequality. The concentration of political power in the hands of a few can lead to an increase in inequality. This is because elites may use their power to create policies that benefit themselves at the expense of the rest of the population.

How to Reverse the Concentration of Political Power

The concentration of political power in the hands of a few is a serious threat to citizenship and democracy. However, there are a number of things that can be done to reverse this trend. These include:

Strengthening labor unions. Labor unions can help to countervail corporate power and give workers a voice in the political process. Strengthening labor unions is an important step towards reversing the concentration of political power.
Promoting civic education. Civic education can help people to understand their rights and responsibilities as citizens. It can also help people to develop the skills they need to participate in the political process. Promoting civic education is an important step towards reversing the decline in civic participation.
Reforming the political system. The political system can be reformed to make it more difficult for elites to concentrate power in their hands. These reforms could include measures such as campaign finance reform, term limits, and ranked-choice voting.

The concentration of political power in the hands of a few is a serious problem, but it is not insurmountable. By taking action to strengthen labor unions, promote civic education, and reform the political system, we can reverse this trend and restore democracy to its rightful place.

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Ambition in America: Political Power and the Collapse of Citizenship

by Jeffrey A. Becker

4.5 out of 5