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From New
Republic (February 22, 1993)
by Douglas
Coupland
As the recent
campaign showed us, the nature of democracy itself seems to be shifting
some 200 years into its life cycle. Just what are the trends and where
is democracy headed? A quick chart to map its direction.
| Jeffersonian
Democracy |
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Consumer
Democracy |
ideology
majority rule
votes
John Locke
polling booth
"eternal vigilance
is the price of liberty"
debates
Alexis de Tocqueville
dialogue
"That government is best which governs least"
Monticello
lobbying
rhetoric
term of office
special interest groups
Liberty Bell
gerrymandering
reason
democratic monarchies
non-democratic republics
deciding whom to vote for on the last day
"Peace is our passion"
campaigning
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money
economy of scale
ratings
Sam Walton
opinion polls
"Only ten remaining,
so call now"
game shows
Larry King
1-800 numbers
GATT
man of America
marketing
Muzak
shelf life
focus groups
K-mart blue light special
relocating the factory in Mexico
bargains
transnational corporations
the Mafia
impulse purchasing
"a piece of the action"
infomercials
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