If the problem was solely military spending, European countries would be in fine fettle. The overriding problem in modern governance is that democratic elections are believed to be the sole and entire definition of legitimacy, and that therefore a democratically elected government can do whatever the hell it wants. This gives rise to a gamut of different problems, from massive corruption, to pointless wars, to idiotic legislation, to ridiculous financial manipulation. We need to humble our democratically elected representatives. But we won't, as we cannot conceive of any means of social pressure that doesn't involve elections, and doesn't therefore get co-opted by the usual political machinery.
Re: “Why get involved in politics when nothing ever seems to change?”
If the problem was solely military spending, European countries would be in fine fettle. The overriding problem in modern governance is that democratic elections are believed to be the sole and entire definition of legitimacy, and that therefore a democratically elected government can do whatever the hell it wants. This gives rise to a gamut of different problems, from massive corruption, to pointless wars, to idiotic legislation, to ridiculous financial manipulation. We need to humble our democratically elected representatives. But we won't, as we cannot conceive of any means of social pressure that doesn't involve elections, and doesn't therefore get co-opted by the usual political machinery.