Well I imagine it could be the same in the US as it is here (going from results of polls). There is a total lack of political education. If you ever bring up the topic you're in danger of being suspected of being a revolutionary commie. Keeping people ignorant is vital to the right. Ignorance leave you vulnerable to specious arguments, prejudice spouted with authority from on high and downright lies. You won't question those things unless you have at least some knowledge of politics and the wherewithal to ask questions sceptically. You talk about democratic deficits, disenfranchisement and the like. The biggest defect of democracy by a country mile is the ignorance of those who are entitled to vote. Politics is by far the most important thing that affects people's lives. Yet we really don't want the inconvenience of people actually understanding it.