USA is an oligarchy, not a democracy

[Taf]

The US is dominated by a rich and powerful elite.

Perhaps, but the two professors have conducted exhaustive research to try to present data-driven support for this conclusion. Here's how they explain it:

Multivariate analysis indicates that economic elites and organised groups representing business interests have substantial independent impacts on US government policy, while average citizens and mass-based interest groups have little or no independent influence.

In English: the wealthy few move policy, while the average American has little power.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-echochambers-27074746

I reckon the UK and perhaps the EU are the same. Hence the fear of the rise of UKIP and other parties in the EU.

I don't think the UK is. The problem with the US, although I think the claims it's not a democracy are overblown, is the considerable cost to even have a chance of running for President or Congress. You need to be able to finance expensive advertising in various media markets of which there are many. The cost is so prohibitive that you need to have an appeal to the people writing the cheques and so they have considerable sway over policy.

It is much cheaper to have a chance of a seat in the UK and also doesn't really cost anything to rise to the top of one of the major parties (the US requires an expensive primary campaign). You can run yourself for about £500 which you'll get back should you get 5% of the vote. The lack of political advertising on TV makes it much cheaper. We only really have one or two media markets (Britain as a whole or England and Scotland). It is theoretically possible for a party to win an election without spending too much money. The rise of UKIP is evidence that smaller parties can impact on the national stage.

[Pierre]

The US is dominated by a rich and powerful elite.

No ****?

[spreadsheet]

the USA is now so far removed from the wonderful values of the initial declaration of independence - hijacked, corrupted and twisted out of shape by every manner of con artist and huckster - much like the NHS over here

[richard s]

I agree spreadsheet.

Originally Posted by spreadsheet

the USA is now so far removed from the wonderful values of the initial declaration of independence - hijacked, corrupted and twisted out of shape by every manner of con artist and huckster - much like the NHS over here

Exactly. If those founding fathers saw an America where only the rich had any sway they would...wait a minute.....