July 26th 2020
Citizens' Assemblies
COVID-19 does not destroy the appearance of its victims as, for example, smallpox or bubonic plague, but it can be equally devastating for those who contract it. Yet, here in NYC, there are many—mainly, but not entirely, young people—who don't even carry a mask, and seem not to know, even by approximation, the meaning of six-feet distance. Would that change if COVID-19 were to bear the ravages of those diseases—or leprosy—on our faces, over our bodies? We live blithely; nothing can go so wrong for us.
However (as long as I and those close to me avoid it), it may have subtle and unforeseen long-term benefits on the social level. A sociopath and demagogue president, responding to a terrorist outrage and reacting 'strongly', would likely come across to a re-electing majority as a 'strong' saviour. This persistent virus, unresponsive to bombs or resentful emotions, however, successfully exposes by slow degree his abysmally flawed mind and reckless self-interest in a way that military action or brilliant rhetoric never can.
Furthermore.
Among other things, my particular interest, XR, Extinction Rebellion, asks for a Citizens' Assembly and for politicians to tell the truth. To tell the truth?..well, dream on. But the Citizens' Assembly has begun to make its appearance. It is, obviously, more doable in small countries. Without going into the purpose or functions here of Citizens' Assemblies, that of Ireland (founded 2016) is a good example.
Because of his power, the sociopath president was able to project his internal fantasies onto a national and world scale. A consequence in the USA has been that decision-making, lacking federal leadership, has devolved upon state governors and even upon mayors. And, by evoking crisis after crisis, the would-be autocrat has brought diverse groups from all over the country into common cause and onto the streets in protest. Is it possible we could be seeing here, across the vast United States, the emergence of Citizens' Assemblies? Sadly, I doubt it.