An exchange during Michael Enright's radio show "The Sunday Edition", broadcast on September 28th, 2009.
David Hutton of FAIR observes that through his experience with whistleblowers there is a 'dark side' of the system clearly visible: the raw exercise of power for personal gain.
This exists much more blatantly in many third world countries, where the democratic processes are simply a fig leaf – an attempt at respectability, but with little influence over events. Hutton aks why participants in political affairs programs (like this one) are generally reluctant even to acknowledge that this dark side exists, let alone attempt to discuss it.
In his response Duff Conagher of Democracy Watch raises the (unanswered) question of whose interests MPs are supposed to serve: their supporters who helped them get elected; their constituents; or the party leader.
Listen to the excerpt by clicking on the play button below: