ABSTRACT
A convergence of factors—globalization, financialization, and technology—has seriously strained democracies, placing a premium on highly credentialed workers who form the meritocracy, and also increasing demand for credentialed members of a subordinate class, the mediocracy. Different governing structures mediate this bifurcated polity, in this case the presidential system in the US with set 4-year terms, versus the parliamentary system in the UK, a constitutional monarchy, with an indefinite span of leadership for the prime minister. Australia may be more responsive to popular sentiment, its parliamentary structure more flexible than the US Democracy, as these developed nations demonstrate, has been manifested quite differently, not only structurally but also with respect to voting procedures. The fragility of democracy is reason to be wary of extremists peddling snake oil, but a reasoned response would best stick to facts as generally understood.
