[Cid_Yama]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'T')he oligarchy is a form of power structure in which power effectively rests with a small segment of society distinguished by royalty, wealth, family ties, corporate, or military control. The word oligarchy is from the Greek words "ὀλίγος" (olígos), "a few" and the verb "ἄρχω" (archo), "to rule, to govern, to command". Such states are often controlled by a few prominent families who pass their influence from one generation to the next.

Oligarchies have been tyrannical throughout history, being completely reliant on public servitude to exist.

Robert Michels believed that any political system eventually evolves into an oligarchy. He called this the iron law of oligarchy. According to this school of thought, modern democracies should be considered as oligarchies. In these systems, actual differences between viable political rivals are small, the oligarchic elite impose strict limits on what constitutes an acceptable and respectable political position, and politicians' careers depend heavily on unelected economic and media elites.

Corporate oligarchy is a form of power, governmental or operational, where such power effectively rests with a small, elite group of inside individuals, sometimes from a small group of educational institutions, or influential economic entities or devices, such as banks, commercial entities that act in complicity with, or at the whim of the oligarchy, often with little or no regard for constitutionally protected prerogative.

[Cloud9]

Yes Cid we do.

[Cid_Yama]

Well, is that acceptable to you?

[vtsnowedin]

If John McCain had won the presidency, a member of the country's military "Royalty" you might have a point, but instead a half black, half Kenyon born in Hawaii of a white Kansan mother, with an Ive League education he received based on merit and some affirmative action won the job. And just two presidents ago before him we had Bill Clinton which only patrician background or connection was through his wife.Now consider Charlie Rangel and Barney Frank , are they members of some elite group with hereditary holds on power.So no its a nice myth but it has little basis in fact.

[basil_hayden]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('vtsnowedin', '8')) If John McCain had won the presidency, a member of the country's military "Royalty" you might have a point, but instead a half black, half Kenyon born in Hawaii of a white Kansan mother, with an Ive League education he received based on merit and some affirmative action won the job. And just two presidents ago before him we had Bill Clinton which only patrician background or connection was through his wife.Now consider Charlie Rangel and Barney Frank , are they members of some elite group with hereditary holds on power.So no its a nice myth but it has little basis in fact.

[Pretorian]

its been like this since 20-30 000 000 BC and it will be like that as long as humanoids will live in groups. Gosh, even baboons and japanese macacas live in an Oligarchy.

[PrestonSturges]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('vtsnowedin', '8')) If John McCain had won the presidency, a member of the country's military "Royalty" you might have a point, but instead a half black, half Kenyon born in Hawaii of a white Kansan mother, with an Ive League education he received based on merit and some affirmative action won the job. And just two presidents ago before him we had Bill Clinton which only patrician background or connection was through his wife.Now consider Charlie Rangel and Barney Frank , are they members of some elite group with hereditary holds on power.So no its a nice myth but it has little basis in fact.

[vtsnowedin]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('basil_hayden', '[')]To disprove Cid's thesis, you must reference an individual in power not on the corporate oligarchy payroll.

Ultimately, if you're getting more out than you're putting in, oligarchy is fine.
When this changes, so will the oligarchy.

[Novus]

Yes we live in a defacto Oligarchy but it is only acceptable in the sense that it is what it is and it will only exist as long we the people choose to go along with it.

[vtsnowedin]

As a rule I am against the presidency or any seat in congress being considered a hereditary position or the exclusive property of the ivy league alumnus. But the good old boys still have to stand for election and as many have found out even if Daddy gives you his rolodex and your inheritance you cannot buy an election. You can pay to get your message out but if it's the wrong message you will lose no matter how big the ad budget.
I don't mind having to chose between two skull and bones members as long as I don't have to choose between two Sarah Palins.

[Cid_Yama]

You make the mistake of believing the President or members of Congress are the elites.

They are just mid-level managers. Facilitators for the oligarchy.

There is not a single 2%er in any of those positions.

The richest member of Congress in John Kerry at $188 million. Not even close.

[Serial_Worrier]

We have always lived in an oligarchy. But hey, I've got MINE, so who cares?

[vtsnowedin]

The POTUS and senior members of congress are mid level managers??
O....K that puts a different slant on it.
188 million price of admission? Clearly non of our military need apply. I suppose you throw out all self made nouveau riche like Bill Gates and Michel Dell.
Just who is on your list?

[ian807]

Yes, we do, and what does my acceptance matter? We live with gravity too. If I'm falling off a cliff, I find it unacceptable. Gravity does not care. Neither does the pre-wired hominid neurophysiology that ensures a pattern of hierarchical domination (i.e. oligarchy).

[Serial_Worrier]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('ian807', 'Y')es, we do, and what does my acceptance matter? We live with gravity too. If I'm falling off a cliff, I find it unacceptable. Gravity does not care. Neither does the pre-wired hominid neurophysiology that ensures a pattern of hierarchical domination (i.e. oligarchy).

[davep]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Serial_Worrier', '
')Even in the most hard-line Communist regimes there is a hierarchy.

[PrestonSturges]

The biggest tools of the oligarchy are Fox News and the Tea Party. They carry the water for the wealthy trying to undermine anything resembling an elected system of government.

[Cloud9]

And exactly who appointed Tim Geithner?

[ian807]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Serial_Worrier', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('ian807', 'Y')es, we do, and what does my acceptance matter? We live with gravity too. If I'm falling off a cliff, I find it unacceptable. Gravity does not care. Neither does the pre-wired hominid neurophysiology that ensures a pattern of hierarchical domination (i.e. oligarchy).

[Pretorian]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('ian807', ' ')The closest hominid anarchy exists in Orangutans. They are solitary, for the most part.