A paperback is available at a small price at this link. Civilization progresses in a political dimension through the ability of politicians to read the desires of the electorate. Neither the press corps nor opinion leaders' influence the electorate, except in the sense of broadcasting the political menu. Their influence instead bears on the politicians, who look to opinion leaders for help in ascertaining the wishes of the electorate. The decline of a nation state or political unit is a sign of repeated failure of the political class to read the wishes of the electorate.
Emigration is a sure sign of relative political failure.
At the extreme, the electorate resorts to revolution, thereby adjusting the political framework and raising to power a new political class better able to read the desires of the electorate. Modern nation states have built into their political frameworks various safety valves that can bring about urgent corrections in the avoidance of violent revolution or war. Inc. All Rights Reserved.