Plainly elites in America don't want democracy. And why should they? Democracy is always harmful to elite interests. Almost by definition.

What can realistically be done depends on the historical moment. The same is true with regard to the agents.

Governments are not representative. They have their own power, serving segments of the population that are dominant and rich.

The U.S. is, to a very unusual extent, a business-run society.

In fact, a rather striking aspect of business propaganda in the United States is the demonization of government, starting after the Second World War.

There are people on the left who say, Look, we can't let these atrocities go on, so let's enter the war and get rid of Bashar Assad. The problem with that is you get into a nuclear war with Russia. And Syria gets wiped out along with everything else. So, it's fine to say, OK, let's stop the crimes, but how exactly?

The Irish sea is a chasm, and it just depends who's been holding the whip for 800 years and who's been under it for 800 years.