The Emergence of the "Permanent Record"
The American democracy and Republic are gradually disintegrating as the group commonly known as "The Left" aggressively strives to abolish the constitutionally established Electoral College. This institution was specifically designed to distribute power and prevent a single group from gaining complete and permanent control of the United States federal government.
The Shift to a Post-Democracy Electronic State
The United States is rapidly transforming into a new political form, the "Post-Democracy Electronic State." It has evolved into competing fragments vying for power within the physical territory of the United States, while barely clinging to a diluted list of basic principles that once represented an exceptional political experiment. The Rule of Law is significantly weakened and the institutions of law are being politically manipulated by those in power.
The Role of Big Data and Big Tech
The current political order paradoxically comprises a mix of fragmented special interests and a central government that is consolidating its power to monitor, control, and intimidate its citizens. This anti-democratic group also includes a voracious cluster of Big Data/Big Tech companies that are functioning as "enablers" by collecting an unimaginable amount of data on Americans and everyone else.
Democracy in America: Alexis de Tocqueville's Perspective
Alexis de Tocqueville, in his early 19th century classic Democracy in America, observed that the "soft" oppression of democracy was unlike that in any other political form. He explained that the supreme power of government covers the surface of society with a network of small, complicated rules that the most original minds and the most energetic characters cannot penetrate to rise above the crowd.
The Impact of Internet and Communication Capabilities
The technological power of the Internet has entered national and global society with such overwhelming speed that a "social tsunami" has swept through our society, devastating existing institutions and corrupting the traditional order. The result is a world where everyone has an unprecedented ability to express their views, establish relationships, and organize networks and action groups for both good and bad purposes.
The Emergence of the Surveillance State
One aspect of what is happening is a transformation in the basic nature of society into the "surveillance state." This newly formed system is one where powerful governmental and private actors increasingly monitor everything we do in the name of national security, social cohesion, and consumer preference.
The Paradox of the Emerging System
The emerging system is becoming increasingly oppressive while expanding into a profoundly fragmented society. Each piece, whether representing an economic interest or political activism, is committed to relentlessly pursuing its particular agenda. This paradox disappears when we realize that fragmentation benefits the most powerful central political and economic organizations because it implements a "divide and conquer" strategy.
The Threat from Massive Government Surveillance
The danger from massive government surveillance of its citizens is psychological. The fear about what they "could" be doing and who might be looking at our profiles intimidates and "dumbs us down." We "think" without knowing that the National Security Agency (NSA), Department of Homeland Security, or FBI are compiling something like our High School Permanent Record or our "social credit" record.
Bottom Line
The emergence of the "Permanent Record" in our society is a concerning development that raises questions about privacy, power dynamics, and the future of democracy. What are your thoughts on this issue? Do you see this as a necessary evolution for national security, or a dangerous path towards a surveillance state? Share this article with your friends and discuss these important questions. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is available every day at 6pm.
