> imagine a few hundred million people getting angry within one election cycle

This isn't hard to imagine? We'll elect someone, they will put in place new policies. Maybe they will help, maybe they won't.

Nice thing about real democracies, you don't actually need pitchforks.

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loup-vaillant 4 hours ago | parent | next [-]

Said democracy does have to be real, though. If we're talking about that country between two oceans that waged armed conflicts almost constantly since its very inception, has supported or helped put in place straight-up dictatorships not that long ago, and sports one of the highest wealth inequality in the West, well... I'd think long and hard before I call that a real democracy.

	▲	nielsbot 3 hours ago \| parent [-]
		Also: The US government is structured to put checks on democracy thereby ensuring wealth and power inequality. See: The Electoral College, The Senate, and even the Constitution itself among other examples.

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geraneum 3 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Yeah, nobody likes the pitchforks but “maybe they won’t” is not really an option for hungry people.

> Nice thing about real democracies, you don't actually need pitchforks.

Democracy is not something inherent in any society. It’s a tool wielded by the people.

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toofy 4 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

this is only true if people know their voices matter.

if their voices are overrun by the powerful, the pitchforks come back out.

	▲	bonobo 3 hours ago \| parent [-]
		We have also to consider what if their voices not only don't matter but are actively being suppressed. It's hard to start a revolution if who's in control can control communications and can preemptively identify people who are more likely to start dissent. Maybe this time we won't even have the slightest chance to revolt.

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rglover 2 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

Can we please stop pretending any facet of this system works? Calling current day America a real democracy is like calling Kim Kardashian's ass real.