What's Left

In a winner-takes-all system, we not only end up with two parties, but two parties that looks increasingly alike. After the Democrats decided to follow the Republicans in embracing the neo-liberal (corporate) globalization, where is the difference? Well, the difference is in the emphasis on values and meaning. The Republicans offer opium to the people.

More systems patterns:

Global to local p1: Materialism / consumerism > more time spent working / less time with family/friends / moving for work > loss of connection with community and place > loss of connection with family/self > fragmentation of society > reduced sense of meaning / connection / value of own life

Global to local pv2: Neo-liberal/corporate globalization > regulations benefiting corporations, not people > loss of local businesses (fever people in charge of their own business) > loss of local work altogether (outsourcing) > increased alienation and fragmentation > reduced sense of meaning / connection / value of own life

Local to global p1: Reduced sense of meaning > increased consumerism > increased sense of alienation / lack of meaning

Local to global p2: Reduced sense of meaning > increased attachment to blind faith (in religion, country, leaders etc.) > blind faith in leaders > increased corporate globalization > increased sense of alienation / loss of meaning

And of course, all of this is just the new way for the few wealthy to stay in control... In the past, it was done with brute force. This time --- with people buing into it.