Isn't politics like Kipling's monkey people, just want to have fun?

Question

The "Bandarlog" ("monkey people") appear in Kipling's Jungle Books:

"Listen, man-cub," said the Bear, and his voice rumbled like thunder on a hot night. "I have taught thee all the Law of the Jungle for all the peoples of the jungle -- except the Monkey-Folk who live in the trees. They have no law. They are outcasts. They have no speech of their own, but use the stolen words which they overhear when they listen, and peep, and wait up above in the branches. Their way is not our way. They are without leaders. They have no remembrance. They boast and chatter and pretend that they are a great people about to do great affairs in the jungle, but the falling of a nut turns their minds to laughter and all is forgotten.

Answer 1

Sure, it's great fun, until they pass anti-terror legislation, lock you up without a lawyer for speaking against policy and torture you until you confess to treason.

Answer 2

yes and no.

politics is essentially the spectator sport people are left with when they are removed from having any meaningful impact on the decision making process.

before the iraq war millions of people hit the streets to protest but the war was launched anyway.

so i don't necessarily blame people for picking sides like fans at a sporting event and yelling their heads off about a bunch of nonsense. on a certain level, most folks know they are unimportant. but the conscious acknowledgement of that is probably more than one can reasonably expect.

the elites who run things are likely happy about the way people allow themselves to be manipulated and used.

and there isn't much hope that things will change in any meaningful way anytime soon. just ask all the folks who protested the iraq war.

Answer 3

Possibly.

But monkeys are strong and could rip your arm out of its socket and beat you silly with it.