Thoughts on International & Global Education
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Musings on Japanese and Ryukyu Budo
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International & Global Education
![]() Democracies worldwide are undergoing significant transformations, with many analysts questioning whether these shifts signal a weakening of democratic governance and the rise of a corporatist or oligarchic structure. While political influencers frame these changes in hyperbolic or partisan terms, a closer examination of historical trends and contemporary developments reveals a more complex reality. The intersection of corporate power and political authority, alongside the erosion of public trust in institutions, poses a significant challenge to democratic governance. The Shifting Landscape of Democracy: Areas for Purposeful Discussion and Learning Despite the polarising soundbites and rhetoric circulating in today’s digital sphere, a broader macro-level shift appears to be taking place in democracies worldwide. Beyond the simplified narratives pushed by political influencers, it is essential to step back and critically examine key areas where democratic norms, governance structures, and public trust are being reshaped. Below are several critical areas that warrant deeper exploration and dialogue. 1. The Rise of Corporate Influence in Governance The increasing influence of multinational corporations in governance structures is a defining feature of the 21st-century political landscape. The traditional notion of democracy—where elected representatives act in the interests of the people—has been challenged by the reality of corporate lobbying, political donations, and regulatory capture. Case Study: The United States – The Role of Big Money in Politics In the United States, corporate political action committees (PACs) and billionaires have gained unprecedented influence over elections and policy-making. The landmark Citizens United v. FEC (2010) decision by the U.S. Supreme Court removed restrictions on corporate spending in elections, effectively allowing unlimited contributions from corporations and special interest groups (Mayer, 2016). This ruling has led to a system where wealthy donors and corporations can shape public policy, often to the detriment of the general electorate. For instance, the fossil fuel industry has spent billions lobbying against environmental regulations. A study by the Center for Responsive Politics (2022) found that the oil and gas industry spent over $124 million on lobbying in 2021, influencing policies that weaken climate change initiatives (CRP, 2022). This dynamic raises the question of whether political leaders represent voters or corporate backers. Case Study: The European Union – Big Tech and Digital Sovereignty In the European Union, concerns over Big Tech’s influence on policy-making have prompted regulatory actions such as the Digital Services Act (2022) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (European Commission, 2022). However, major technology firms—including Google, Amazon, and Meta—have consistently lobbied to shape these regulations to their advantage. In 2021 alone, Google reportedly spent €5.75 million on EU lobbying efforts (Corporate Europe Observatory, 2021). This reflects the broader global trend where corporations wield significant influence over data privacy, digital governance, and national security policies. 2. The Erosion of Public Trust in Democratic Institutions Trust in democratic institutions is declining worldwide, driven by perceptions of corruption, elite control, and political inefficacy. According to the Edelman Trust Barometer (2023), public trust in government has dropped significantly in many democratic nations, with less than 50% of respondents in countries like the US, UK, and France believing that their governments act in their best interests (Edelman, 2023). Case Study: The UK – Post-Brexit Disillusionment and Political Transparency. In the UK, the aftermath of Brexit has led to widespread disillusionment with democratic governance. The handling of procurement contracts during the COVID-19 pandemic, where firms with political connections were granted lucrative government deals, highlighted a lack of transparency in political decision-making (Good Law Project, 2021). Furthermore, the revolving door between government officials and corporate interests—particularly in sectors such as finance, healthcare, and defence—has raised concerns about regulatory capture and the erosion of democratic accountability (Tingle, 2021). 3. Media Manipulation and the Role of Political Influencers The digital age has reshaped political discourse, with political influencers, content creators, and algorithm-driven news feeds often replacing traditional journalism as primary sources of information. The rise of soundbite-driven narratives over in-depth policy discussion has contributed to political polarisation and disinformation. Case Study: The Philippines – Social Media and the Rise of Rodrigo Duterte In the Philippines, former president Rodrigo Duterte’s 2016 election campaign demonstrated the power of social media manipulation in shaping democratic outcomes. Duterte’s team leveraged Facebook misinformation networks to craft a populist, anti-elite narrative that resonated with millions of voters (Ong & Cabañes, 2019). The use of paid trolls and automated bots to spread political messaging has since become a widespread strategy in global politics, raising ethical concerns about digital democracy and voter manipulation. 4. Economic Inequality and the Diminishing Power of the Electorate A critical component of democratic decline is the growing wealth gap, which limits political participation and access to power. Research by the World Inequality Report (2022) highlights that the wealthiest 1% of the global population controls over 45% of total global wealth, while the bottom 50% owns just 2% (Alvaredo et al., 2022). This economic disparity directly impacts political agency, as wealthier individuals and corporations have greater influence over policymaking, media, and election outcomes. Concluding Remarks: A New Era of Corporatism? While the erosion of democratic norms is evident, it would be overly simplistic to declare the absolute demise of democracy in favour of corporatism. Rather, what we are witnessing is a restructuring of governance, where corporate and elite interests play an increasingly dominant role in decision-making. The challenge for contemporary democracies is to reclaim political agency, strengthen institutional transparency, and reinforce the role of the electorate in shaping governance. To counteract these trends, reforms in campaign finance, media regulation, and corporate accountability are necessary to restore democratic integrity and limit the power of economic elites over public policy. Without such measures, democracies risk evolving into corporate-managed political systems, where the will of the people becomes secondary to the interests of multinational corporations and the ultra-wealthy. この論文は、現代民主主義の変容と企業支配の拡大について批判的に分析し、特に多国籍企業の政治的影響力、ロビー活動、規制の乗っ取り、メディア操作、経済的不平等の拡大が民主主義制度に及ぼす影響を検討する。米国、欧州連合、英国、フィリピン、フランスなどの事例を用いて、企業と政治の結びつきが政策決定や選挙プロセスに及ぼす影響を明らかにする。また、選挙資金改革、メディア規制、企業の説明責任強化など、民主主義の回復に向けた対策を提案し、企業による政治的支配を抑制する方法を探る。 References Alvaredo, F., Chancel, L., Piketty, T., Saez, E., and Zucman, G. (2022) 'World Inequality Report 2022'. World Inequality Lab. Available at: https://wir2022.wid.world/ (Accessed: 3 February 2025). Center for Responsive Politics (2022) 'Oil & Gas Lobbying, 2021'. OpenSecrets.org. Available at: https://www.opensecrets.org/industries/lobbying.php?cycle=2021&ind=E01 (Accessed: 3 February 2025). Corporate Europe Observatory (2021) 'Big Tech's Deep Pockets in Brussels: A Who's Who of the Industry's Lobbying Power'. Available at: https://corporateeurope.org/en/big-tech-lobbying-brussels (Accessed: 3 February 2025). Edelman (2023) 'Edelman Trust Barometer 2023'. Available at: https://www.edelman.com/trust/2023-trust-barometer (Accessed: 3 February 2025). European Commission (2022) 'The Digital Services Act: Ensuring a Safe and Accountable Online Environment'. Available at: https://ec.europa.eu/digital-strategy/our-policies/digital-services-act-ensuring-safe-and-accountable-online-environment_en (Accessed: 3 February 2025). Good Law Project (2021) 'COVID-19 Contracts and the Lack of Transparency'. Available at: https://goodlawproject.org/case/covid-contracts/ (Accessed: 3 February 2025). Hunter, W. and Power, T. J. (2022) 'Bolsonaro and the Struggle for Brazilian Democracy', Journal of Democracy, 33(2), pp. 47–61. Mayer, J. (2016) Dark Money: The Hidden History of the Billionaires Behind the Rise of the Radical Right. New York: Doubleday. Ong, J. C. and Cabañes, J. V. A. (2019) 'When Disinformation Studies Meet Production Studies: Social Identities and Moral Justifications in the Political Trolling Industry', International Journal of Communication, 13, pp. 5771–5790. Sengupta, A. (2021) 'India's Farm Laws: Corporate Interests and the State's Role', Journal of Agrarian Change, 21(4), pp. 647–656. Tingle, R. (2021) 'Revolving Doors and Regulatory Capture in the UK: A Critical Analysis', Public Administration, 99(3), pp. 567–582. Walker, S. (2021) 'Russia's State-Controlled Media: Propaganda and Censorship in the Digital Age', Journal of Media Ethics, 36(1), pp. 20–35. Okinawan and Japanese Budo
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James M. HatchInternational Educator who happens to be passionate about Chito Ryu Karate. Born in Ireland, educated in Canada, matured in Japan Archives
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