The Illusion of Democracy in the Grip of Capitalism

Red
Mar 4, 2024
6 min read

Updated: Oct 1, 2024

As we take a closer look at our society, it's impossible to overlook the negative influence of our late-stage capitalist system. This often leads to a bleak outlook on life, particularly for those with little knowledge of politics, who may feel that everything is futile. But why do people feel this way, and why do individuals in democratic countries feel so helpless and powerless? Could it be because we don't genuinely live in democracies? In this article, we'll delve into these queries and examine the impact that capitalism has had on democracy and how it undermines it.

The Illusion of Democracy

Capitalism [1] is an economic system that is characterized by the pursuit of profit and the accumulation of wealth. The system is based on the idea that individuals and businesses should be free to pursue their economic interests without interference from the government. However, Capitalism is plagued by its inherent contradictions, like the one of the Employer and the Employee. Capitalism always puts profits over the interests of society. Capitalism prioritizes the interests of private ownership and profit-making over the needs of the community, leading to a lack of investment in public goods and services.

While democracy is supposed to empower the people, in practice, it is the capitalists who wield significant influence and control over the levers of power. The term "democracy" [2] derives from the Greek words "Demos" (people) and "Kratos" (rule), yet in capitalist societies, it is the interests of capital that reign supreme. The power of capitalists is derived from their ability to control the means of production, which gives them significant economic power and the ability to influence political decision-making.

Capitalists are driven by their pursuit of profit, and they possess the means to shape political landscapes and influence governmental policies to serve their ends. This influence extends far beyond national borders, as evidenced by the actions of entities like the CIA, which have historically intervened in sovereign nations to safeguard capitalist interests. These interventions have taken various forms, from orchestrating coups in South America to destabilizing governments in Africa and the Middle East, all in the name of protecting US capitalist interests [3]. And the US is not the only country guilty of these practices.

The influence of capitalism on democratic governance is profound. The pursuit of dominance by capitalists is limitless. They are willing to take any measures to protect their wealth and power, even if it means initiating endless and senseless wars, damaging communities, and nations. Absolutely anything is justified in the playbook of capitalism.

Neocolonialism and Imperialism

At the heart of the global spread of capitalism lies the insidious and pervasive influence of neocolonialism [4] and imperialism [5]. The capitalist nations, primarily situated in the Global North [6], exercise their dominance over the Global South [6] through economic exploitation and political coercion. This perpetuates an unequal power dynamic, ensuring that capital flows from the periphery to the core, enriching the capitalist elites while perpetuating poverty and subjugation among the marginalized populations.

In this neocolonialist framework, the democratic principles that are often touted are mere rhetoric, serving as a facade to conceal the underlying power structures that perpetuate exploitation. The interests of the capitalists dictate foreign policies, often prioritizing profit over the well-being of nations and their citizens. The legacy of imperialism still looms large, as former colonial powers continue to exert influence and exploit resources in the Global South, undermining nascent democracies and perpetuating cycles of poverty and instability.

This exploitation is not limited to the economic sphere but also extends to the political and cultural realms. The capitalist nations often impose their cultural norms and values on the Global South, disregarding the diversity and richness of the local cultures. The Global South is often forced to adopt the capitalist model, which is unsuitable for their unique circumstances, leading to further exploitation and marginalization.

It is important to remember that imperialism is the highest form of capitalism [7]. In our current late-stage capitalist society, empires are quite evident and should not be overlooked. There is nothing democratic about empires, as they often come with emperors. Although there is not one individual who acts as an emperor in capitalism, it is clear that we live in an empire led by a bloc of different private organizations that have our governments on their knees.

Preserving Capitalist Hegemony with Fake Democracy

Capitalism thrives when it maintains an unchallenged hold on power, even if it means rigging democratic institutions. The concentration of wealth within capitalist societies translates into political influence, which gives capitalists the power to shape legislation, media narratives, and public opinion in their favor. Sadly, such concentration of power in the hands of a small, privileged elite erodes any real power of the demos, turning democracy into a mere farce.

In countries such as the United States, political candidates are handpicked by the ultra-wealthy and powerful and by corporations, who then use propaganda techniques to sway public opinion. Moreover, the electoral college system is often exploited to manipulate election results. Though it may not be as evident in other countries, it would be wrong to assume that such manipulations are not carried out in the interest of capitalists.

All capitalists care about is preserving their hegemony. When people realize that the system is rigged against them, they come to understand that democracy is not what it seems to be. In the imperial core, the global north, and generally across the world, democracy, as we know it, is not truly democratic. It is but a make-believe roleplay that we part take in every so often to keep us from realizing that the whole system is rigged against us.

In many countries, true democracy is absent. Whenever a country elects a government through democratic means, that does not align with the interests of capitalist powers in the imperial core, they are subjected to severe sanctions or direct attacks by nations like the US. This is often justified under the pretext of protecting democracy when in reality, it poses a threat to democracy itself.

The side effects of the Democratic Farce

It appears that many individuals have realized that our current social and political system is a rigged quasi-democratic, Neo-liberal farce. However, despite this awareness, most individuals lack a comprehensive understanding of the intricate workings of capitalism and are also not familiar with any practical alternatives to capitalism. As a result, they feel stuck and unable to envision a different future for themselves, their communities, and society as a whole.

The consequences of this realization and state of mind are far-reaching. One of the most significant side effects is the erosion of trust that people have in a democracy. The prevailing Neo-liberal ideals of hyper individualism, distrust in others, and the overall notion that humanity is inherently inept contribute to this distrust. As a result, many people view democracy as inadequate and pointless, leading to a sense of disillusionment and apathy.

It is this way people become vulnerable to right-wing extremist ideologies like fascism. Certain politicians present themselves as saviors. As the only true alternative to the failing democratic system, they live in. They also give false promises of solutions to complex societal problems, which makes them an attractive choice.

However, in reality, they once more only serve one class, the capitalist class. When capitalism has run its course and when no one trusts the democratic institutions, capitalists cannot depend on their quasi-democratic, Neo-liberal farce, they must turn to dictatorships. They must turn to fascism. It is the only way to ensure Capitalist Hegemony.

Conclusion

In scrutinizing the intricate interplay between capitalism and democracy, we unveil a sobering reality: what masquerades as democracy is often nothing more than a facade, concealing the underlying power dynamics that perpetuate exploitation and inequality. Capitalism, driven by its insatiable pursuit of profit, not only undermines the democratic principles it claims to uphold but also perpetuates a cycle of oppression and subjugation, both domestically and globally.

The illusion of democracy crumbles when we recognize that the interests of the capitalist elite dictate political agendas, manipulate electoral processes, and stifle dissent. This is why we Marxists say we live under a dictatorship of the bourgeoisie. As in this neo-liberal farce, the demos—the people—are reduced to mere spectators, devoid of real agency and power. As disillusionment with the democratic system grows, individuals become vulnerable to the allure of right-wing extremism, lured by false promises of salvation and solutions to societal woes.

Then what must we do? What do we leftists see as a way out of this dictatorship of the bourgeoisie? Well, it's simple. It's the dictatorship of the proletariat. A society that is controlled by the interests of the working class, and our interest is true democracy, one not controlled by a class that views us as nothing more than wage slaves. For more information about this check out our blog about the proletarian revolution here [8].

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