The fall of Egypt’s leader and his political party is because he learned the wrong lessons from his patrons. Will Americans learn something from Egyptians, asks Eric Walberg
The Supreme Administrative Court order to disband the National Democratic Party and confiscate its
properties last week was based on the NDP’s violation of the constitution;
namely, monopolising power, preventing legitimate competition from other
parties, and allowing corruption by the marriage of business and politics. As
the only political force in control of the administration of the country, the
NDP allowed powerful businessmen to rise through its ranks and then enact laws
and run the country in their personal and corporate interests.
What is this scenario but the Western electoral system, governed in the US by what is increasingly known as the Republicrats? Albeit minus the need by corporations and other lobbyists to divide their donations between two look-alike NDPs. It is impossible for a genuine alternative party to gain any traction in this polyarchy, defined by Noam Chomsky as “a system of elite decision-making and public ratification”, where elections are rigged, but indirectly -- by media control and their huge cost.