I’m coming to suspect the democratic era was a flash in the pan, and what’s now emerging is a 21st century variation on an ancient form of power, more monarchic or feudal in character than “populist”, let alone democratic.
Noam Chomsky was in Seattle today (2005-04-19) and appeared as a guest on KUOW FM's "Weekday," where a caller asked for Chomsky's opinion on peak oil.