When Populism Turns Invisible

 Modern societies rarely struggle to identify power that is openly displayed. The greater challenge is understanding power that operates through systems, networks, and decisions that remain difficult to observe 

The twentieth century taught many lessons, but one of the most enduring may be the wrong one.

We are often told that tyranny arrives in uniforms. It marches in formation. It carries guns, builds prison camps, silences newspapers, and crushes opposition through brute force.

History provides no shortage of such examples.

Yet power has always been adaptive. The visible tyrant is only one form of authority. Modern societies face a different challenge: power that becomes increasingly difficult to see.

Most populist movements begin with a promise of visibility. They claim that ordinary people have been excluded from decisions that affect their lives. They promise exposure, accountability, and transparency. They insist that hidden interests will be revealed and that authority will once again answer to the public.

Maya Gebala Named First International Recipient of Youth Heroism Award and Joins WickFest Hockey Tournament As Honoured Guest

Maya on the arena ice with Chris Sederstrand  and Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser. Dr. Wickenheiser, a Canadian Gold Medal Hockey Champion in the Olympics, and women's world hockey, met Maya early in her recovery at BC Children's Hospital. Dr. Wickenheiser learned Maya was a previous player in WickFest, a women's hockey tournament established in Calgary by Canada's women hockey luminaries. Tumbler Ridge took silver when Maya was a player. Dr. Wickenheiser followed Maya's recovery progress and issued an invitation to both Maya, and Chris Sederstrand, a Canadian Paralympic sled hockey player, who joined Maya in an honorific skate around the arena. It was a scene to remember. 

Prime Minister Mark Carney Calls Six Byelections For December

The Canadian Press announcement ran Nov 2, in a "1 min. read" -- 5 seconds for anyone with a grade 6 reading level -- because, as presented, this is barely more than a notice of administrative procedure.

Canadian Press handed out notice of:

• six byelections,
• thirteen vacancies,
• a new majority government,
• a Conservative opposition,
• three provinces, and
• competing parties.