'Gains in Technology' should never 'create losses' in human values.

Governing a 'People' is different from 'governing' a Nation. Of course, the International sphere relates to government of Many Nations. When a government governs Many People, it governs human beings. When an International Government governs many Nations, it governs 'established political entities' that are Equal in Power. One large political entity governing Many other political entities, must achieve a political 'balance' between Political entities of Equal Power. There is no such thing as a Nation, or a United Nations, governing the 'Peoples' of another Nation, or even, having an 'influence' on the 'individuals' living in another Nation? How then can 'drone attacks' that injure and kill civilians, women, and children, be justified, especially in cases where War has not been officially declared? The truth of the matter is, it can't. Individuals killing other individuals, for whatever reasons, cannot justify, so-called, 'collateral damage'. When any individual perpetuates 'damage or injury' on another individual, that act is punished by law. If,in that process, s/he injures someone else, someone just 'standing around', s/he is also punished for that injury; by the same law that punishes the 'damage or injury', to the first victim. That's common-sense. So how can so-called, 'collateral damage', be justified in a situation where War has not been declared. The problematic is one of values; values that apply to Individuals, are different, from values that apply to Nations. If Nations are not at War, why should innocents suffer? The advances of technology now 'permit' the killing of innocents. How sad. We gain in 'technology' and lose in 'humanity'.

Freedom and Equality drive Democracy, while profits drive Capitalism.

Freedom and Equality 'drive' Democracy; and profits drive Capitalism. The value system of a democracy is a political constant, i.e. always remains the same. The People, at the Bottom, in a democracy are always Free and Equal, and if there are changes in a Democracy, its always towards the realization of more Freedom and Equality. In Capitalism, the 'profits motor' is always in motion and 'changes' are always towards the realization of more and more profits. Of course, a 'stable economy' always contributes towards a 'successful' Democracy. Obviously, the goals of the two systems are different. Nevertheless, the two systems must keep their 'political distance'. If the economy gets too close to the political system, it could transform into a Plutocracy. If that happens, it transforms government of the People, into a government by the rich, and for the rich. That would be a Plutocracy. Capitalism can survive in a Democracy, but it cannot survive in an Autocratic form of Government. Why? because all natural resources and profit making ventures, are State owned. Hence, the best 'soil' for the flourishing of Capitalism is always a Democratic form of Government. However, that, in itself, does not solve all 'democratic problems'. In a Democracy, the medium of exchange should circulate among all the 'real People'. I say real People because the Corporation is not a 'real person', and yet, it is the greatest 'profit making' motor in Capitalism. That's why, Corporations need to 'contribute more' to the very governmental structure that creates them and allows them to exist, that facilitates, and increases, its 'economic grasp' and 'productivity'. A corporation is just an economic 'institution' that exists in the Social, as does, marriage, family, and Freedom and Equality of the Individual. Its time for the corporation to become 'more democratic' and 'less autocratic', and 'give back', or, as they say now-days "pay it forward".

The 'Linguistic Turn' has caused much political mischief.

The term, "The Linguistic Turn" is mostly a literary term. Its not a simple term, and there is much dispute about its application, use, and accuracy. However, and generally, it mostly refers to the fact that a linguistic term or "word", does not encapsulate the phenomena that it 'refers' too. In different words, the 'map' is never the 'territory', or 'that' to which the map refers too. Hence, terms tend to 'float in air' and are not necessarily 'grounded' in 'real phenomena'. Generally, it refers to the fact that the 'word' does not correspond to the 'reality'. That may be the case, when the 'word' or term refers to a 'natural phenomena'. However, I wish to make a distinction between the "Natural" and the "social, or political". Why is this distinction necessary? because it answers too the fact that the Top and the Bottom of the relation between the One and the Many, is a social or political phenomena and not a Natural one. That's why many Nations have become organized around different 'Governmental structures' for the 'sole purpose' of 'governing' the Bottom. That's why we have, or have had, Kingdoms, Autocracies, Plutocracies, Oligarchies, Democracies, or even different 'tribal' arrangements. My point is that the Top of any Government is a 'Governor' of the 'Governed'. Its a 'political arrangement' and hence not Natural; its 'artificial'; a political entity. Therefore, the Linguistic Turn notwithstanding, 'political language' does refer to 'real' political phenomena and is well grounded in the 'established relation' of the One and the Many. Of course, much political language is intentionally convoluted; that's 'politics', but the so-called Turn, does not apply to our political structures. Furthermore, and more important, every human being, every Individual, who lives within a political entity, any political entity, has his/her Freedom and Equality,( as a real, living, human Individual), and that's a 'qualitative political variable' that should never be abused or compromised by Government.

Can the computer help "voter apathy"? How 'modern' is Democracy?

Computers have changed the 'face' of the world. Today, we speak of 'voter apathy' in Democratic societies. One of the key considerations in elections, is always, "will this issue bring the voters out"? Of course, the populace is already 'divided' by vying 'Party ideologies'; add to that; Gerrymandering, weather conditions, distance, means of transportation, expenses, etc. to get to the Polls, stand in line for long hours, and eventually, getting back home. I believe, that this year, in some States, the people have been asked to Vote in 8 different elections already. ( and its not Election Year) Is it any wonder that the People are apathetic? Of course, in a Democratic society, its only proper to ask the populace for their vote. Nevertheless, in a technologically advanced, Democratic society, a society that can get a man on the moon, etc., it becomes imperative that the Government establish more modern means of 'recording the Vote'. I speak about computerizing the voting process, to avoid the political 'gerrymandering' of vying political Parties; not to mention the other inconveniences. Lets change the political slogans of, "a car in every garage": to "a computer in every registered voters home", or, You can 'exercise' your Right to vote, by means of the computer. In our technologically advanced society, the Individual should not be required to be a victim of 'gerrymandering'; of having to avoid all the obstacles 'stacked' against the exercise of the Right to Vote, or, even of having to stand in long lines. The Executive, the Senators, the Representatives, and the Judiciary, do not have to, 'stand in line'; why should the People that put them in Office. No, a "computer in every registered voters home"; even if, the computer has to be returned, after the vote. Of course, as usual, there will be many 'kinks' that need to be worked out, but, at least, 'modern voters' will not be 'Gerrymandered about' by politicians; or be required to stand in long lines, and if some Rich Citizens get to take a vacation on the Moon, why can't the "Voters" vote by computer?

'Orderliness' must permeate every aspect of society, except for the Freedom and Equality of the Individual.

Orderliness is the key to Legality. It must permeate every aspect of the Social and the Economy, except, the Freedom and Equality of every Individual. Freedom and Equality in the Individual cannot be 'ordered'. The Freedom and the Equality of each Individual remains the essence of a Democratic society. That freedom and that Equality must not be interfered with. Why? because, an Individual must always be free to choose his 'activities' and 'behaviors', while existing within the 'condition of togetherness'. Another way of saying that, is, s/he must act within the confines of a democratic, structured, Legal System; or, the orderly arrangement of a democratic, 'condition of togetherness'. Democracy is more than just a belief system. Its an 'implemented orderliness'. Religion is also a belief system, but the goal of its way of life applies to another world. That's why it cannot work in this world. Religious beliefs cannot be 'imposed' on every Individual. Whereas, Freedom and Equality in a polity is 'imposed' and must be exercised by each and every individual within a 'condition of togetherness'. An Individual in a Democratic society must 'choose'. That choice must be in accordance with the Freedom and Equality of the guy next to you. If you step on his toes, s/he will not like it. Such is the methodic arrangement of a just legal system in a democratic, 'condition of togetherness'. Man is Free, is free to 'choose', and to act, but, s/he must respect the Freedom and Equality of the 'guy next to you'. Being 'Free and Equal' within a political entity is no 'small thing'. In a Democracy, all the Individuals at the Bottom of Government, have a tremendous duty.

Law is essential to Democratic government, but it is also essential to Capitalism.

Law 'binds' a Democracy at the Top, as well as at the Bottom. The Top is the Government and the Bottom are the People. But the Bottom, where all the individuals in their 'condition of togetherness', are situated is also referred to as the 'social' and the economic. Of course, the 'social' includes every 'individual' at the Bottom and cannot be 'separated' from their 'condition of togetherness', nor can any particular 'race' or 'nationality' be favored or excluded. In the same way, neither can any accepted democratic institution. In other words, the social, the economic, ( Capitalism) and the democratic institutions, are all under Law. Of course, the 'essential' and 'central' impulse in a democracy, is the Freedom and Equality of every Individual in the social, the economy, the institutions, and the Government. Democracy is a Peoples Government, not a Capitalistic Government. That is the primary reason why Capitalism, with all its economic values, can not get involved in the governing of the People. The People must be governed by principles of Freedom and Equality and not by the 'profit principles' of a successful economy. Economic values, money, profits, cannot govern a People. To be sure, the economy is important, but it cannot govern. To the contrary, Government must pass Laws that insure that a successful economy has to contribute to the 'democratic' values of the Peoples at the Bottom of Government. After all, its the People who work, buy, and produce in the economy. Hence, government must acquire more control over economic institutions, primarily, the corporate structure, and the 'false attribution' of 'personhood'. If the Government 'creates' corporations, it can have more control over them.

Law is essential to every Political entity.

Law is essential to every Political entity. Regardless, the nature of the entity, Law becomes essential. Why?, because every political entity 'houses' the Many, or many human individuals. To be sure, all human interactions, whether between Individuals, or between Nations, must be 'governed'. That's why we need Nations,( to govern the individual) as well as, a "United Nations"(to govern the separate Nations). Both, Nations and a United Nations, are Political Entities, and as such, houses Many Individuals, all of whom need to be Governed. But, Law is more essential in a Democracy, than an Autocracy. Of course, the reason is obvious. The only Law in an Autocracy, is that of the Autocrat. In a Democracy, the Law must be arranged in such form as to apply to each and every Individual in an Equal manner. Look, Law is just Order, and Order is essential to the 'condition of togetherness' of the People at the Bottom of Democratic Government. But, that is not the end of the story. The Order 'required' is the 'Free and Equal' order of 'each and every' Individual at the Bottom of Government. Someone has to legislate Law, someone has to enforce Law, and someone has to adjudicate Law. That's why, the Triadic Form is the only form for a Democracy. If no-one Legislates the 'right kind' of Law, democracy will not work; if no-one enforces 'all' of the right-kind of law, democracy will not work; If the Supreme Court does not 'adjudicate' the Law according to Constitutional Values of the Top, as well as Constitutional Values, of the Bottom, democracy will not work. So, it becomes obvious, that some Democracies enforce the Law, in a 'preferential' manner. It is also obvious, that the 'interpretive practices' of the Supreme Court, are 'divided' by party-loyalty, and hence do not serve an 'integrated' unity, of Free and Equal, that should characterize the Bottom of Democratic Government. In other words, being Democratic is not the political end of things; we have to work at it on a daily basis. Supreme Court Justices who assert their power, based on a divided political ideology, are no different than Policemen who assert their 'power' of enforcement, with clubs, guns, gases, and tanks. Neither is Democratic.

Computers have 'punctured' National Boundaries, but, that's only 'Linguistic'.

The Internet has facilitated the 'penetration' of National boundaries, but, the penetration is purely Linguistic. Communication can now take place between Individuals in different Nations. Sure, it makes the exchange of knowledge possible; an exchange between many different cultures. But, each Nation has its own Identification; an identification that has definite geographical parameters. Each Nation has its Boundaries, and each has an 'equal amount' of 'political integrity' and hence, political Power. Hence, the penetration of communication between individuals in different Nations, does not really serve any political advantage. To be sure, it helps in clearing up many 'distinctions' in the way of life of different peoples. But, each Nation being its own Political Entity, must be respected as an equal Political entity. A 'physically', or 'geographically' small, Nation, has the same Power and Integrity as a 'Nation, with its own Identity', as the Largest Nation in the world. Just as there are no 'superior human beings', in the world, there are no superior National organizations in the World. All human beings are Free and Equal, i.e., each is, or should be, 'politically free', and 'equally human'. In the same manner, each Nation is Free, as a Nation, and each Nation, as a political entity, houses Equal Power, within the International sphere. Individuals must learn to get along with the 'guy next door', as Nations must learn to get along with other Political entities in the World. Political 'history, or Politics, has reached the point where all the 'space' and 'territory' in the world has been 'taken up', or occupied, and now, we just have to learn to 'get along'. There is no fear of 'falling off' the Planet; only the fear of 'blowing' it up.