Quote Originally Posted by Crocodile
There is a one huge problem with politics - it's so much up to the interpretation that no statistical lie could ever match that. Say, you participate in a peaceful demonstration and hold out the sign that reads: "Say NO to drugs!" What's going to happen? At the best, the politicians would just ride that wave. The left-wing politicians would blame the right-wing for the negligence of the issue and the other way around. That would do nothing to the very aggressive pyramid-style distribution chain of the drugs. At the best, the police would run a show unveiling another insignificant portion of the chain. So, the drugs would cost a little more to the drug users (because of the shortage) and the profit margin for the rest of the pyramid would raise. Some of the drug users would run out of money, so they would turn to the cheaper (and even more health-damaging) alternatives to the drugs. Or become criminals to get the money they need so desperately.
Well, I guess drugs are like alcohol -- they'll never go away. So all the crimes connected with them will continue, and if you're unlucky enough to come in any kind of connection, well, that's just your luck.

But on other social issues -- I do sort of believe in the power of people. Like, I've recently watched this Hindi film (oh boy, I've a way of dragging my interests into any discussion ) -- "Rang De Basanti", which is about a group of young people who are really disillusioned about the state of things in their country. (Seems India is just as corrupt as Russia). So, at first they don't think they can do anything but then tragedy strikes, which prompts them to take action. The point is -- that movie (a mere movie!)seemingly made an impact on Indian people, awakening their political consciousness and what-not.

Rang De Basanti had a noticeable impact on Indian society. A study of bloggers behavioral patterns during the first month of the film's release revealed a significant increase in public ire towards government and politicians for constantly being mired in corruption and bureaucracy and their inefficiency in providing basic amenities. Intense political discussions spurred on by the film's influence were observed in these patterns.[63] While commenting on this, writer D'Silva said that the film "has struck a chord somewhere".[92] Besides instigating political thought and discussions, it evoked social awakening for many. Some discussions rallied on how citizens should support and contribute to non-governmental organizations and exercising simple citizen duties of paying taxes and voting, while the others contemplated on how to become more responsible towards the country.[63] Unlike other Indian films with jingoistic overtones, several young Indians could relate well to the characters of this film.[93]

While such reactions were observed on the Internet, youth activism took to streets to protest on public interest issues. A direct impact was on the 1999 Jessica Lall Murder Case, one of the high-profile murder cases in India. A month after the film's release, a court acquitted the main accused because of inefficient prosecution and hostile witnesses.[94] This sparked intense civil protests and media campaigns that sought his re-arrest. Taking cue from the scene in which the protagonists hold a silent, candlelight vigil at New Delhi's India Gate, one such group of demonstrators carried out a similar rally to voice their protest.[95] Shortly thereafter, a survey was conducted to assess reasons for the sudden upsurge in people's social involvements. Eighteen percent of the respondents felt that movies like Rang De Basanti were the main reason behind it.[96] Another such massive youth activism was seen in the Priyadarshini Mattoo rape and murder case where similar rallies were organized in India, United States and around the world.[97][98] Following the release of the film, another social outcry was against the introduction of reservations for socially backward classes in educational institutions.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rang_De_Basanti

I think it's pretty impressive... Especially, the protestants managing to overturn a court's decision and making the muderer son of a high-ranking official go to jail. Somehow I can't imagine such a thing happening in Russia. Though we are supposedly a more progressive society.

Quote Originally Posted by Seraph
confirmation bias :"is a tendency for people to prefer information that confirms their preconceptions or hypotheses, independently of whether they are true" from wikipedia.
Aaah, thanks for the clarification, Seraph.