Capitalism Reigns … True Democracy is Dead

Democracy is dead.  Capitalism reigns.

This has never been more clear than it is today.  For those of you who followed the Copenhagen summit for global climate change, I’m sure you’ll understand what I’m saying.  Last December, the Presidents, Prime-Ministers, and dignitaries from 192 of the world’s 197 countries met in Copenhagen, Denmark to discuss the global climate crisis.  [Ministers of five developing nations boycotted knowing full-well the resulting actions from developed nation's leaders.]  As predicted, no substantial agreements were made at these very important meetings.  Nothing substantial enough to counter the the effects of climate change.  Nothing substantial enough for us to feel any pride for our leaders.  Instead, the leaders of developed nations did exactly what many would expect they would do.  

Stephen Harper, Barack Obama, Gordon Brown and many other leaders put more effort into protecting their economies than in becoming leaders of significant and necessary change.   They sought for agreements in 2020, well into the distant future, and well past their reign of power.

The summit has resulted in the Copenhagen Accord, in which the leaders who have signed have recognized climate change to be one of the greatest challenges faced in our time. Unfortunately, recognition is not enough.  We are way past the time for recognition.  This is a time for action, as quick and drastic changes are needed.  The Copenhagen Accord document that resulted from the summit outlines 12 proposed actions as set out in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change report (unfccc.int).  However, this Accord is considered by many to be a rather vague document in which there is no accountability for any real or immediate actions.   For many climate change activists, what is outlined in the Copenhagen accord is simply not enough, and many still consider Copenhagen to have been a failed opportunity that could cost the planet and its inhabitants dearly.

Although I agree that the result of COP15 is rather disappointing, I think that some very important knowledge has developed out of the Copenhagen summit.  [That's not to say that we didn't know this before, but now it's very clear.]  We now have a clear picture of what is of foremost importance for many of our leaders.  The main focus of our Presidents and Prime Ministers is the economy, not the people, or the needs of the people.  Democracy is dead.  I’m not convinced that true democracy ever really existed in the first place.  However, what we have today can not be called Democracy.  This is Capitalism.  Our leaders are more concerned about economics, finances, capital, and trade.  They serve capital interests before they serve their people.  Democracy is dead.  Capitalism reigns.

We cannot rely on our systems of government to make change.  They do not represent the people, they do not look out for the needs of the people.  Democracy has been hijacked.  We can not rely on our elected leaders to create the changes that are needed in order to protect ourselves from climate change.

Below is the tag cloud from a blog post that asked for the public’s reflections and perceptions of the COP15 summit and its resulting Accord.

Read more at Suite101: Copenhagen Climate Change Summit’s Vague Results: Hopenhagen Conference Provides Little Comfort for Environmentalists