Democracy, Psychology and Healthcare - Tony Benn (2007)

[EUCLID1423]

Claude Levi-Strauss said that it's powerlessness that corrupts, not power; not that power isn't corruptive to the non-powerful most of the time. We have very little choice today in society. Turn off the electricity just for a little while; let the toilet not flush; find your laptop dead, or email cancelled or phone cut off, just a little while. We have become so dependent upon others it's almost like breathing, and with society's ills, and bad air, just as polluting.

[sonofcy]

I have read some of his work and he has been saying these things for decades. Such as politicians blame the populus for their apathy to politics and politicians when the primary cause is THEIR apathy and indifference to us. If you think about it it is logical why should the people speak when politicians don't listen and totally control the political process from the top down?

[wayzotoichi]

I think what Benn's saying is the infrastructure of society (created by the political classes) puts education about and power through choice (therefore the populace's self-interest) out of ordinary people's hands which makes 'voters' apathetic, which serves the ruling class or party to continue being in power. Tony Benn's not apathetic...it's the other ones (hundreds..)..!

[wayzotoichi]

first: sorry for the 'thumbs down' that was accidental(!) I know, Tony Benn is all about educating and empowering the masses ..while most politicians are not, current trends show some things don't change (re: self-serving hypocrisy in the cabinet). This makes him very important to listen to because what he says makes practical sense..not political sense for a minor 'interest group' like rich businessmen or politicians.

[ShleeJay]

he is right we are saves to debt and money.

[vulnerabledonkey]

He's exactly right. 24mil voted last election. Under half the population.