The question is this: Has it already arrived in the US or how soon will it?
I think avoidance is off the table.
3 comments:
Anonymous
said...
well, the bush-clinton-bush (possibly followed by another clinton) string would tend to support the theory.
but i think it's possible for new political aspirants to join the american establishment. for example, the kennedys were clearly outsiders -- even though joe kennedy's money bought him and his family close physical and psychological proximity to the wasp establishment. but despite being catholic and having new money, they broke through. of course, the entire kennedy clan is now as much of the entrenched political elite as any of the old guard.
perhaps barack obama can do what john kennedy did? and then we could see a whole new dynasty join the american ruling class.
still, the fact that certain people might be able to break into the elite from time to time doesn't mean that the iron law of oligarchy is a good thing. and since the theory seems so inevitable, perhaps all we can do is hope for belevolent leaders.
fully 45% of the members of the first congress in 1789 were related to each other. (today 10% of members of congress have relatives who also served in congress.)
3 comments:
well, the bush-clinton-bush (possibly followed by another clinton) string would tend to support the theory.
but i think it's possible for new political aspirants to join the american establishment. for example, the kennedys were clearly outsiders -- even though joe kennedy's money bought him and his family close physical and psychological proximity to the wasp establishment. but despite being catholic and having new money, they broke through. of course, the entire kennedy clan is now as much of the entrenched political elite as any of the old guard.
perhaps barack obama can do what john kennedy did? and then we could see a whole new dynasty join the american ruling class.
still, the fact that certain people might be able to break into the elite from time to time doesn't mean that the iron law of oligarchy is a good thing. and since the theory seems so inevitable, perhaps all we can do is hope for belevolent leaders.
here are some interesting numbers:
fully 45% of the members of the first congress in 1789 were related to each other. (today 10% of members of congress have relatives who also served in congress.)
source:
http://www.economist.com/world/na/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10880507
Oligarchy to revolution and round again, isn't that how it works?
If so then obvious where we are now in the cycle but the internet revolution might be more lasting this time, fingers crossed..
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