The Battle For Control Of The State And The Survival Of Liberal Democracy

This article, takes advantage of the recent efforts of the Koch brothers to take over the libertarian Cato Institute. It does so to encourage a more general debate about the future of liberal democracy in America. The far right views the state as an evil monster than must be contained and/or controlled. The left views the state as an agent for the interests of powerful businesses. The question is whether the state will be controlled by extremists on the right or the left, or whether liberal democracy can effectively manage the state to serve the interests of the greater public. The author of this article, based upon our failed efforts to reform the banking system, has a dim view about the prospects for liberal democracy in the US. He will be engaged in a debate with his colleagues who believe that liberal democracy will survive and prosper in the US. This will be an interesting and informative debate. It is really about the future of America and perhaps about the direction of history.