Jim Moore (Berkman Center, Harvard), writes about the rise of a global social movement (read: Internet) as a “second superpower” (see fallout) that can keep the US (gov’t) in check. Interesting read, but well, it doesn’t work right now because people have a lot more in common with sheep than ants.
He does address the fundamental problem with all democracy, though. It depends upon educated informed members
. A quick check at the national polls will show why the US is so dysfunctional. How many people can pinpoint Iraq on a map? How many people believe that Saddam Hussein is directly responsible for the WTC? What’s the most popular News channel? How many know, let alone care about the civil rights they’ve lost? And lastly, how many people believe exactly what they are told?