Chapter 1: The Oligarchy Within

Recently, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) expressed her views in a social media post, stating, "When you consider how our elections are influenced by money, where corporations and powerful lobbying groups have more impact on legislation than ordinary citizens, we find ourselves entrenched in an oligarchy that occasionally shows democratic tendencies." This assertion isn't new to many, yet it raises a significant question: how can the U.S. claim to promote democracy abroad when it is absent at home?

This discourse often gets labeled as ‘class warfare’ by some right-wing commentators, who conveniently ignore decades of stagnant wages and the growing wealth concentration among an elite few. These billionaires, residing in opulent bubbles filled with private jets, starkly contrast with the nearly half of American families with children who struggle to put food on the table. Discussing inequality is not class warfare; it’s a necessary conversation.

AOC stands out as one of the more insightful members of Congress, but the collective efforts of ‘the Squad’ and the progressive caucus have left much to be desired. While they may not enact significant change, at least someone in Washington is articulating these critical issues. Her comments reminded me of the pivotal 2014 Princeton study, which revealed that America functions more like an oligarchy than a democracy.

The findings from Princeton were not groundbreaking, as many had already speculated about the nature of U.S. governance. However, the research provided concrete data, demonstrating that the U.S. is not a democracy in practice. It’s essential to recognize that the U.S. was never intended to be a pure democracy; it operates as a constitutional republic, designed by the Founding Fathers to ensure that popular opinion does not dominate through mechanisms like the Senate and the Electoral College. Historically, marginalized groups—such as slaves, minorities, women, and the economically disadvantaged—have been systematically excluded from meaningful participation in the democratic process.

Among the privileged land-owning class, voting has been a fixture since the nation’s inception, which is why we continue to parade around with the label of ‘democracy’ so proudly. We often position ourselves as superior to authoritarian regimes that deny the principle of ‘one person, one vote.’ Yet, when it comes to the U.S., even that narrative becomes problematic.

American citizens, who proudly declare their allegiance to democratic ideals, quickly shift to argue that the nation was designed as a "Representative Constitutional Federalist System of Minority Rule," citing historical figures like Lin-Manuel Miranda to bolster their claims. The reality is that many have long understood that America is not a true democracy. A crucial reminder comes from the 2014 Princeton study, which laid bare the limited influence that the general populace has on policy decisions.

“The central point that emerges from our research is that economic elites and organized groups representing business interests have substantial independent impacts on U.S. government policy, while mass-based interest groups and average citizens have little or no independent influence.” — Researchers Gilens and Page.

Thus, we must question how the U.S. justifies its military interventions and sanctions in the name of spreading values that it fails to uphold domestically.

The first video titled "Anybody who thinks we do not have an oligarchy right here in America is sorely mistaken," provides a compelling overview of the oligarchic nature of U.S. politics.

Despite the overwhelming influence of dark money in elections, which guarantees that billionaires dictate policy, Americans remain under the illusion of democratic governance. Lobbyists and corporate representatives draft legislation that is then presented to complicit lawmakers, resulting in policies that cater to the interests of the wealthy rather than the general populace.

As researchers Gilens and Page point out, “A proposed policy change with low support among economically elite Americans (one-out-of-five in favor) is adopted only about 18% of the time, while a proposed change with high support (four-out-of-five in favor) is adopted about 45% of the time.” This indicates a clear bias toward the preferences of economic elites, regardless of which party is in power.

The two-party system often serves the interests of corporations, as both Democrats and Republicans rely on the same financial backers. This arrangement makes it nearly impossible for the average citizen to vote against the interests of powerful entities like Goldman Sachs. Real change occurs only when the interests of the common people align with those of the wealthy.

“When a majority of citizens disagrees with economic elites and/or organized interests, they generally lose. Moreover, because of the strong status quo bias built into the U.S. political system, even when fairly large majorities of Americans favour policy change, they generally do not get it.” — G&P.

This entrenched status quo makes it easy for corporate interests to fund select politicians who will impede any meaningful reform.

Corporate interests continue to exert control over the political landscape, leading to a government that functions effectively—but only for the elite. The result is a nation sliding deeper into a corporate-controlled dystopia, where meaningful reforms on pressing issues like child hunger, wage stagnation, and infrastructure decay remain perpetually out of reach.

The existence of an oligarchy is evident, and most citizens recognize this reality. Over the last fifty years, whether a Republican or Democrat is in office has had little impact on the economic landscape—both parties often align on key issues, with Republicans merely leaning further right.

This alignment is why political discourse often centers around cultural and identity issues, distracting from the corruption that permeates both parties. Barack Obama once remarked that both parties are "fighting between the forty-yard lines," highlighting their similarities on economic issues.

While millions of children face food insecurity and inflation escalates, the public is drawn into debates over trivial matters. The ongoing struggle against the encroaching influence of wealthy individuals, such as Charles Koch, creates a pressing need to address the rampant corruption that plagues the system.

The electoral process has become a cruel joke, with citizens casting votes for candidates who primarily serve corporate interests. This does not constitute true democratic participation; it is a façade designed to divert attention from the profound issues at play.

As the narratives surrounding democracy begin to crumble, the challenge remains: how can ordinary citizens reclaim control in an increasingly monitored and manipulated political environment?

The second video titled "Proof The US Is An Oligarchy, Not A Democracy" reinforces the idea that the American political system is fundamentally flawed, further emphasizing the need for reform.