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What do you think this is?
https://feddit.org/post/33281280
Definitely no valid argument against "western democracy". Do you think having your oligarchs "under control" and throwing them out of the window is so much better?
Criticising the EU or the US doesn't condone Russia or China. There is no need to copy them.
That depends on what the goal is. Personally I think the independence of the western elite is what brought us the industrial revolution. However, if we take democratic values serious then the elite shouldn't stand above the law or the politicians. Then it's Feudalism in fancy clothes.
So if a party has the last word then it's closer to a democracy than a capitalistic oligarchy where elections are bought. But it's also no full democracy if a party or an inner circle holds the power for the people. The capitalistic elite could have the same noble goals behind their luxeries.
The US has been influencing German elections for a long time, as far as the rumors go. So making a fuss about them influencing the EU now can't lead to serious investigations.
I think it's useless to choose between wrong options. We have to create a system first where the population can't be easily manipulated. Then no group can claim to be responsible for protecting society from itself and society can be a full democracy.
A publisher very well-connected with right-wing politics and brain-washing the majority of people with their massive market share on a daily basis giving an democracy award to a known anti-democrat in bright daylight now is not a valid argument for western democracy being a failure? They don't even try to hide the oligarchs pulling strings in the background to enact policies against the population anymore and just hope that loud, shrill screaming at minorities will be sufficient as a diversion.
If this price is not issued by the state, then I don't see a "problem in democracy". Infantinos peace price was also ridiculous, but should we put him in jail for it?¹ The same accounts for Axel Springer - believe me, I hate them with every cell in my body, but I can't prevent them from issuing fantasy prices and giving them out to the people they want. And I don't want to live in a society where this is possible. This is the downside of a democracy, things you need to bear and live with. Which does not mean we do not need take Axel Springer to the courts for all the other evil things they did which were against the law.
¹of course we need to put him in jail, but not for the peace price