Republicans, Democrats Members of US Corporate Capitalism: American Prof.

“Both parties are parties of corporate capitalism. They differ tactically in how best to preserve the capitalist system at home and US imperialist hegemony abroad but are united strategically in pursuit of those shared goals,” Dennis Etler, a professor of Anthropology at Cabrillo College in Aptos, California, told Tasnim.

Following is the full text of the interview: 

Tasnim: Do you believe that there is a systematic suppression of democracy in the US? How do you see the role of capitalism in this with respect to the upcoming US elections?

Etler: Partisan politics in the US has resulted in both Republican and Democrat attempts to suppress the vote of their opponents and promote the vote of their adherents. The demographic profile of each party's core constituencies, however, demands that Republicans seek to reduce voter turnout, while Democrats seek to enlarge the electorate. A low voter turnout helps get Republicans elected while a high voter turnout bodes well for Democratic candidates. Either way, the two parties try to manipulate the electorate to their advantage. The Republicans through voter suppression and the Democrats through vote expansion. The two parties represent different factions of the capitalist big bourgeoisie. The Republicans represent the interests of the fossil fuel industries and certain elements in the Military-Industrial Complex, the info-entertainment industry, financial circles and conservative forces within the monied elite. The Democrats represent the interests of the information technology industry, alternative fuel industry, and elements with financial and banking circles who hold more liberal attitudes. Both parties, however, fully support the corporate capitalist economic system of the US.

Tasnim: The Brennan Center at New York University – the foremost non-partisan organization devoted to voting rights and voting reform – reports that “over the last 20 years, states have put barriers in front of the ballot box – imposing strict voter ID laws, cutting voting times, restricting registration, and purging voter rolls. These efforts, which received a boost when the supreme court weakened the Voting Rights Act in 2013, have kept significant numbers of eligible voters from the polls, hitting all Americans, but placing special burdens on racial minorities, poor people, and young and old voters.” Is America a democracy? If so, why does it deny millions the vote?

Etler: As mentioned, the partisan nature of US politics has led to a duopoly of power. Each party attempts to enhance its own political position by either restricting or expanding the franchise. It is a matter of power politics, not the suppression or expansion of democracy. The democratic system in the US is a mere facade meant to preserve the corporate rule of the nation in the interests of a small minority of wealthy people and the surrogates who serve them.

Tasnim: Currently, Donald Trump and Joe Biden are competing with each other for the forthcoming vote. Does it make any difference for the US deep state if Trump finds his way to the Oval Office or Biden? Is there any difference between Biden and Bernie Sanders, who quit the race after former US President Barack Obama convinced him?

Etler: The two parties pander to different core constituencies. This contention generally revolves around cultural issues. The Republicans champion voters with conservative values, mostly rural, white, evangelical Christians and middle-class business people. Democrats appeal to a more liberal-minded, urban, multicultural/multiracial, secular, and professional constituency. Sanders is what is called a "sheepdog" who shepherds discontented voters back into the political system and the Democratic Party. Parties frame themselves as supporters of their respective core voters by endorsing issues that appeal to them while leaving the basic structures, values, and prerogatives of the capitalist system intact.

Tasnim: It seems that it does not make that much difference for the capitalist system that either the Republican or Democratic party wins the vote, and that this is capitalism that has the final say. Do you believe so?

Etler: Both parties are parties of corporate capitalism. They differ tactically in how best to preserve the capitalist system at home and US imperialist hegemony abroad but are united strategically in pursuit of those shared goals.