President Trump will rule America shortly, despite lies, errors, bigotry, and sexual misconduct. He won a resounding victory - against the odds of most media and huge funding behind Clinton.
Similarly the disillusioned of Britain voted, in BREXIT, against the elite EU project - even though it brought a long peace and other huge benefits - which were biggest to the very regions that voted most strongly to reject the EU.
The Brexiteers and Trump Republicans wanted another roll of the dice, with uncertain benefits, and reject the consensus. Which they feel has been an elite scam, in which they saw no benefit.
The trouble is that the consensus presents an awkward picture. Of a finite world, of limits to consumption, global pollution, as well as ageing populations. In other words the end of, seemingly, rightful and endlessly growing consumption.
Presenting the difficult answers to these, very concrete and real challenges, Hilary Clinton and the campaign to REMAIN in the EU were rejected. In favour of delusion. Promoted and diffused by politicians and business who affirm errors of fact, bigotry and an extremely short term perspective.
Without the "public goods" - of truth, transparency and respect - democracy fails. And in another vein of public goods - being intangible rules and institutions - all citizens need affirmation - of their own divine worth and inalienable rights.
For me the problem appears to be how to deal with that feeling - of great affront and injustice. That "we may be wrong, but we are entitled to our opinions." How do we spread justice and respect at the same time as acknowledging that "we cannot just go on consuming more" - and "have to compromise and respect others". Or, affirmingly communicate limits.
And, as is evident to anyone with half a brain, computing and IT does not work for the masses. So everyone can readily see that what they can access is but a tiny fraction of computer and info power, that is so exulted in the media.
I do not believe that that the answer is a matter of limited resources and consumption, but more of expectations and feelings. The Brexiteers and Trump Republicans were (in some way) "treated like ***t by the elite" - for holding the wrong opinions. And democracy offered politicians, and social media, who affirmed voters in the wrong opinions.
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