Then & Now: Philosophy, History & Politics How the Deep State really works
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Dec 1, 2025 Dive into the intriguing world of the deep state, where hidden powers and unaccountable influences shape policy. Discover historical precedents from ancient empires to modern bureaucracies. Explore how concentrated wealth and corporate lobbying steer national decision-making. Delve into the military-industrial complex and the overlap between intelligence agencies and tech giants. Ultimately, the discussion highlights the necessity for reform and transparency to hold these shadow networks accountable.
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Democracy’s Visible Tip Hides Deeper Layers
- Modern deep states are layers beneath visible democracy that shape outcomes outside elections.
- The study finds average voter preferences have near-zero impact on public policy.
History’s Hidden Power Brokers
- Ancient Athens and Rome had councils and guards that controlled outcomes behind formal democratic procedures.
- Historical examples show elites and military actors often acted as shadow power brokers.
Lofgren’s Nodes Of The Deep State
- Mike Lofgren described a bifurcated system: visible government and a subsurface part operating independently.
- Nodes include Washington, military contractors, Wall Street, Silicon Valley, bureaucrats and lobbyists.
