Quote from: gonnafly on September 28, 2014, 02:57:14 PM

Quote from: FloodZone on September 22, 2014, 05:34:58 AM

Quote from: proofofarat on September 17, 2014, 01:55:22 PM

Quote from: collinstar on September 17, 2014, 01:12:11 PM

One of the countries that could most gain

When talking about "countries" you always have to distinguish between government/elite and population. Same in the US - doesn't matter what helps the majority. They're not making the decisions.

This is what convinces me that the ruling elite are particularly short-sighted.
Yes, you can be stinking rich by oppressing the masses and keeping them poor. On the other hand, you can not oppress them and be almost as stinking rich while being able to access the output of a much more productive workforce. And not have to worry about revolutions quite as much.

FWIW, the west is the closest to what you described out of nearly any other bloc of civilizations in the history of the world.

I look at voter apathy (in the absence of things like 'one candidate per ballot' or 'vote

or be dissapeared') as a measure of how good things are.

If you can't be bothered to get off your ass to vote, you don't really have any big societal issues to address.