Does anyone else agree with that sentiment? It's obvious that ideologues who strongly subscribe to an ideology are usually more intelligent than your guy of the street, but if you pursue it further than self-justification and learn about differing approaches or the nature of politics itself, then it becomes harder and harder to "pick a side".

In a sense, it leaves you in a state of paralysis and perpetual self-doubt.

The more you read in to a party, I find, the more you realize that the outspoken radicals that speak for the party are idiots.

I don't pick sides.  I just vote for whoever wants to grow the state the least (or shrink it).

Ironic thing is that me voting, in a way, legitimizes the system that I believe is illegitimate because of its use of violence, theft and coercion against its citizens.

No, because as much I learn about politics, whether past, or present, I find that my own ideology improves based on the previous mistakes, erroneous moves or motives and misunderstandings.

That sounds suspiciously like political revisionism.

Yes. Especially when you realise none of the politcal systems are perfect and have serious drawbacks...but then again, I'd be hard pressed to find a better replacement to any of them right now, other than the odd policy change here an there.


And then it comes down to political parties (For democratic systems at least). There is not a single party that fully represents what I would stand for (Oh my! The curses of everybody being unique...), and even if there was, I seriously doubt how effective any they could be. IF they ever got elected, most of their policies would be strangled in red tape if they tried something a tad extreme, so then they're only limited to restricting and modifying policies from the last elected government, kinda like a neutral administration team for a country.


It's why we have the 3 "main" parties with maybe 1 or 2 upstarters (that would be UKIP), rather than a crazy uber-democratic system like Weimar Germany where you had extremes of both sides, then moderates, then the odd mix 'n' match parties with various standpoints, where nobody got into power because there was too much choice. Then fuck all happens which certainly isn't any better.


I'd almost go as far to say in the short-term, politics is stagnation. Only when the system fucks up, is abused, or total riot does change happen which in most cases has been positive in the long run. (See: Political Reform of the 19thC, Hitler's rise to power or any successful Revolution).