ChrisIB
Honorable
Ufology often comes up against this question.
Countries
Is democracy real or are there groups or a group pulling the real levers?
Is lobbying and media influence just that or is there more?
Democracy varies, with some countries being dictatorships posing as democracies. In many others, corruption is a way of life born from economic necessity.
Someone once remarked that Europe is more corrupt than Africa but it is just well hidden.
I know little of how the guts of American democracy really operates, but in the UK I would say there is a certain cynicism towards our leaders whereas in Germany there seems greater respect, even admiration.
Another remarked that countries do not have friends, they just have interests, would that prohibit a unified approach to disclosure?
Other possible players
The cold war gave power to an industrial combine with huge influence.
Then there are the banks and the media.
Science and religion have long been sparring partners, perhaps once it was discovered the Earth revolved around the sun, organised religion was ultimately doomed. That said, cryptographic work made me aware that the Vatican once had the best cryptography in Europe and used to hire their services to other countries. In essence, secrets have long been their business.
Perhaps not the levers of power but the longevity and influence to suppress evidence, to inhibit disclosure.
Countries
Is democracy real or are there groups or a group pulling the real levers?
Is lobbying and media influence just that or is there more?
Democracy varies, with some countries being dictatorships posing as democracies. In many others, corruption is a way of life born from economic necessity.
Someone once remarked that Europe is more corrupt than Africa but it is just well hidden.
I know little of how the guts of American democracy really operates, but in the UK I would say there is a certain cynicism towards our leaders whereas in Germany there seems greater respect, even admiration.
Another remarked that countries do not have friends, they just have interests, would that prohibit a unified approach to disclosure?
Other possible players
The cold war gave power to an industrial combine with huge influence.
Then there are the banks and the media.
Science and religion have long been sparring partners, perhaps once it was discovered the Earth revolved around the sun, organised religion was ultimately doomed. That said, cryptographic work made me aware that the Vatican once had the best cryptography in Europe and used to hire their services to other countries. In essence, secrets have long been their business.
Perhaps not the levers of power but the longevity and influence to suppress evidence, to inhibit disclosure.