I'm reading Guns, Germs, and Steel and came across this

[KareBear]

I'll paraphrase to avoid copyright infringement.
But the author, Jared Diamond lists several ways that Kleptocrats have maintained power throughout the ages.

"1) Disarm the populace and arm the elite... this is much easier in these days of high-tech weaponry... than in ancient times of spears and clubs."
"2) Make the masses happy by redistributing much of the tribute received, in popular ways."
"3) Use the monopoly of force to promote happiness, by maintaining public order and curbing violence."
"4) ... construct an ideology or religion justifying kleptocracy. Bands and tribes already had supernatural beliefs, just as do modern established religions... When supernatural beliefs gained (the function of serving the central authority) and became institutionalized, they were thereby transformed into what we would call religions."

When applying this to the United States today its clear to see how these lines are falling in the current administration. While Bush is not "disarming" the populace per se, how many of us seriously think that they could mount any sort of meaningful uprising against the superior armed US Military that protects our centralized government. Points 2 and 3 seem to be very Democratic Party themed points. Bush has actively been harming these two. And point 4 is easy to see here. By rallying the religious right around him he is claiming religious justification of his every action.

Its interesting to see how we see ourselves as so advanced and evolved, yet these themes continue down through the years to repeat themselves in ever escalating fashions.

[bossfish]

1. Isn't that a great book!

I've read it about three times and have given it to or recommended it to about a dozen people.

Probably the best book I've read in ten years.

[Nlighten1]

2. It has all been done before...

And it seems that each time they are learning a bit about how to keep the curtain closed. The alarming thing is what he mentioned about the weapons. There will come a day when technology renders traditional gunpowder based weapons useless.

The question is...will the populace have access to the new weapons or not?

[durutti]

3. That book is quite good. n/t