Ask HN: Is modern politics like cancer?

2 points · aquir · 5 days ago

Similarities:

1. Resource Drain. Cancer cells siphon nutrients from healthy cells to fuel their own growth / Self-serving politicians may pull resources away from genuine societal needs to benefit themselves, their allies, or special interests.

2. Rapid, Unchecked Expansion. Malignant tumors multiply quickly, spreading throughout the body if unchecked. / When political power becomes unchecked, it can grow rapidly—through gerrymandering, lobbying, or media influence—until it dominates the political “ecosystem.”

3. Ignoring Long-Term Consequences. A tumor can destroy the very body it depends on, seemingly unaware that by destroying the host, it also destroys itself. / Politicians push policies that secure short-term gains for themselves or their party, ignoring the harm they may be doing to society in the long run.

4. Metastasis (Spreading Damage). Cancer can metastasize—spread to other organs—and the negative effects multiply. / Once a problematic political approach takes hold in one domain, it can spread to others.

5. Resistance to Treatment/Regulation. Some cancer cells develop resistance to chemotherapy or radiation, making them harder to eliminate. / Powerful politicians often become resistant to “treatments” such as checks and balances, investigations, or electoral defeat (through manipulation of democratic processes, influence over regulatory bodies, or spin in the media).

6. Immune System Overload. In a healthy body, the immune system can often detect and attack cancer cells. But once overwhelmed, the immune response is no longer effective. / In theory, a democracy’s “immune system” is a free press, fair elections, and civic engagement. But when these institutions are weakened—through disinformation, voter suppression, or cynicism—political corruption can flourish.

What do you think?

What would be the treatment?

(edit: line breaks)