DEMOCRACY IN THE AGE OF THE MASSES

There is no longer society, only masses. Society is composed of individuals with their own judgment and the capacity for rational assessment. The masses are amorphous conglomerates driven by atavistic impulses and primary emotions. I am not a fan of Zelensky, but I have been outraged by the humiliation he suffered in the Oval Office. Trump and Vance have behaved like two schoolyard bullies. Malicious, rude, arrogant, and ignorant, they took advantage of the setting to disgracefully mistreat the president of Ukraine.

Trump and Vance are not two politicians, but two brainless fools with no sense of decency. They are the perfect example of the new leaders of the far-right: boorish, rude, corrupt, and manipulative. The same could be said of Milei, Orban, Ayuso, Abascal, or Meloni. How did we get to this? There are many explanations, but I want to highlight one: the media long ago abandoned ethics and pedagogy. Their only concern is business. Degrading programs like First Dates or The Island of Temptations have brutalized society, feeding its basest passions.

The sensationalism of newspapers and radio and television talk shows has also contributed to this spiral of degradation. Recovering ethical and quality journalism is essential; bad taste, vulgarity, and systematic distortion of facts prevail. Democracy does not work without an enlightened society. The belligerence and stupidity of the masses led to World War II. What awaits us in our time? The omens are not good. #TRUMP