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Ask HN: Is modern politics like cancer?

2 pointsby aquir4 months ago
Modern politics is like cancer and modern politicians are the tumors.<p>Similarities:<p>1. Resource Drain. Cancer cells siphon nutrients from healthy cells to fuel their own growth &#x2F; Self-serving politicians may pull resources away from genuine societal needs to benefit themselves, their allies, or special interests.<p>2. Rapid, Unchecked Expansion. Malignant tumors multiply quickly, spreading throughout the body if unchecked. &#x2F; When political power becomes unchecked, it can grow rapidly—through gerrymandering, lobbying, or media influence—until it dominates the political “ecosystem.”<p>3. Ignoring Long-Term Consequences. A tumor can destroy the very body it depends on, seemingly unaware that by destroying the host, it also destroys itself. &#x2F; Politicians push policies that secure short-term gains for themselves or their party, ignoring the harm they may be doing to society in the long run.<p>4. Metastasis (Spreading Damage). Cancer can metastasize—spread to other organs—and the negative effects multiply. &#x2F; Once a problematic political approach takes hold in one domain, it can spread to others.<p>5. Resistance to Treatment&#x2F;Regulation. Some cancer cells develop resistance to chemotherapy or radiation, making them harder to eliminate. &#x2F; Powerful politicians often become resistant to “treatments” such as checks and balances, investigations, or electoral defeat (through manipulation of democratic processes, influence over regulatory bodies, or spin in the media).<p>6. Immune System Overload. In a healthy body, the immune system can often detect and attack cancer cells. But once overwhelmed, the immune response is no longer effective. &#x2F; In theory, a democracy’s “immune system” is a free press, fair elections, and civic engagement. But when these institutions are weakened—through disinformation, voter suppression, or cynicism—political corruption can flourish.<p>What do you think?<p>What would be the treatment?<p>(edit: line breaks)

1 comment

nis0s4 months ago
The internet changed the scale and speed of communications, which is why all of this seems like it’s a new phenomenon, but politics has always been like this, if not worse.<p>In fact, misinformation campaigns allow carrying out bloodless takeovers of democracies, so from a cost benefit analysis of having to wage armed conflicts, the current state is an improvement.<p>Our biggest mistake was letting postmodern philosophers trick us into believing that truth doesn’t exist, or that it is subjective or malleable.
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