Democracy, the Deep State, and Trust

Western liberal democracies are managed democracies (inverted representation). In managed democracies, formal democratic processes such as elections are manipulated to serve the ruling elite's interests. The façade of popular participation is maintained, but in reality, the policies are influenced by the deep state agendas. Sheldon Wolin coined the term "inverted totalitarianism" in 2003 to describe what he saw as the emerging form of government in the United States. Over time, this form of governance generates a sense of powerlessness and political apathy. He uses the term "inverted totalitarianism" to draw attention to the totalitarian aspects of such a system, while "inverted" helps to portray the many differences with classical totalitarianism. Democracy Incorporated: Managed Democracy and the Specter of Inverted Totalitarianism - New Edition press.princeton.edu/books/paperback/9780691178486/democracy-incorporated