• FiniteBanjo@lemmy.today
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      3 months ago

      Germany on-budget allocation is 477 Bn Euros and their off-budget special funds are 869 Bn Euros, as long as people vote for who is in power then German Billionaires are far below them on the food chain.

      Do I think backroom deals occur? Yeah, enough to put them at #14 in the democracy index instead of #1. That’s what that number means, how compromised they are on a scale. The German ruling class are the average people.

      • Deceptichum@sh.itjust.works
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        3 months ago

        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Economist_Democracy_Index

        According to this, my country, Australia is tied with 14th and 100% there is a ruling class who favour corporate lobbying and billionaires over everyone else.

        This ranking means jack shit. The only way you’re not going to have a ruling class is to be a true democracy, a direct democracy, and not have a class of people dedicated to leading for you. Anyone else is too easily and systematically bought out.

        I entirely reject your premise that being 14th in a democracy ranking means you don’t have a ruling class.

        • FiniteBanjo@lemmy.today
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          3 months ago

          That’s because Australia is lower than Germany on that particular list. Australia has a massive corruption ring particularly in NSW, but they also have housing projects, single-payer medical, and full subsidized higher education degrees.

          TBH I agree they should be ranked lower, they’ve been declining in the score given by Economist Intelligence Unit since 2012, I expect their score will continue to decline in 2024’s rankings.

          • Deceptichum@sh.itjust.works
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            3 months ago

            It’s 12 and 14, barely a difference.

            Stop being so delusional about your country.

            You had corrupt politicians selling masks during Covid and getting kickbacks, you allow politicians to also be lobbyists, that’s institutionalised corruption.

            62% of Germans feel government corruption is a big problem in your country.

            https://www.transparency.org/en/gcb/eu/european-union-2021

            You have a ruling class and you’re burying your head up your arse to pretend you don’t.

            • FiniteBanjo@lemmy.today
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              3 months ago

              Only 44% of Chinese are worried about Corruption, are you saying that means China has a more functioning democracy than Germany?