As the clock ticks down on the 2024 Presidential Election, the United States stands on the precipice of another political firestorm. With a convicted felon and a clearly overwhelmed and incompetent current president being the only options, clearly democracy is on a slippery slope in America. This pair of non-choices to lead our nation is the ultimate manifestation of the ongoing failure of representative democracy and a testament to the deep-seated divisions and dysfunctions that plague our nation.
The fact that people are willing to vote for someone who wants to set back civil rights to before the 1860’s illustrates the clear erosion of democratic values, principles, and institutions that have long been the bedrock of American society. Corporations and hedge funds, under the guise of altruism, have already attempted to take over public enterprises, ostensibly to fill the void left by a paralyzed government.
Social media practically runs society today, these platforms run by corporations that have no interest in the common welfare or public good. Between social media and corporations attempting to own every aspect of our daily lives, we’re heading towards a dystopian reality reminiscent of the film “Idiocracy.” With each passing day, that comedy seems much less satirical and more like a prophetic futurist documentary.
Once derided as a ridiculous failure of a comedy, the film “Idiocracy” now looks more plausible than ever. The Mike Judge produced film portrays a future society where intellectualism is shunned and ignorance is celebrated, a society governed not by reason and knowledge, but by the whims and caprices of the uninformed masses. The parallels between this fictional world and the current trajectory of American society are unnerving. The devaluation of expertise, the spread of misinformation, and the decline in civic education are contributing to a society where rational discourse and informed decision-making are increasingly marginalized. Without such proper discourse or critical thinking, democracy simply can’t survive.
This failure of democracy isn’t a sudden or unforeseen event; it’s the culmination of years of political polarization, misinformation, and the erosion of public trust in institutions. The root of the crisis is the relentless pursuit of power and ideological supremacy by both major American political parties. This has overshadowed the foundational democratic principle of compromise. The extreme left-wing vs right-wing polarities have rendered the government incapable of addressing the pressing challenges facing the nation, and instead are looking for scapegoats to transfer the blame of their own incompetence and short-sightedness.
I’ve written previously about many of these issues when there was a chance at an extended government shutdown in October 2023. In this analysis, I considered how in a prolonged shutdown, the vacuum created by the absence of functional governance becomes a fertile ground for corporate entities and hedge funds to expand their influence over public services and assets. I believe this is happening anyway, but most people aren’t paying attention.
While the intervention of private interests in public life may initially appear benevolent, aimed at maintaining order and stability, the long-term implications of a corporate takeover of the “public good” are alarming. Consolidating power in the hands of a few corporate entities threatens to undermine the democratic fabric of society. We could all soon fall victim to a form of corporate oligarchy where profit motives supersede any sense of public welfare.
However, I don’t think all is quite lost just yet, not if we aim for a major paradigm shift in our nation’s thinking. Here’s some actionable advice I have as potential paths to saving Democracy, not just for America, but world wide.
Promote Civic Education: A well-informed citizenry is the cornerstone of a healthy democracy. There’s an urgent need to revamp our education system to emphasize civic education, critical thinking, and media literacy. These three traditional cornerstones of compulsory education enable individuals to make informed decisions and engage in constructive dialogue.
Encourage Bipartisanship: The spirit of compromise and collaboration must be revitalized. Politicians and citizens alike should actively seek common ground and work together to address shared challenges, moving beyond partisan divides.
Strengthen Democratic Institutions: Public institutions are the guardians of democracy. They must be fortified against the corrosive influences of misinformation, corruption, and abuse of power. Transparent, accountable, and inclusive institutions are essential for sustaining democracy.
Regulate Corporate Influence: The unchecked power of corporations poses a significant threat to democracy. Robust regulations are needed to curb corporate influence over politics and public policy, ensuring that the interests of the many prevail over the interests of the few.
Encourage Public Political Engagement: Democracy thrives when citizens are actively engaged in the democratic process. Encouraging public participation in governance, policy-making, and community-building fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility among citizens, reinforcing democratic values.
Promote Accountability: The spread of misinformation and the lack of accountability in producing and disseminating it are eroding public trust in institutions. A commitment to truth, facts, and accountability must be reinstated at all levels of society, from individual citizens to the highest echelons of power.
The barely averted October 2023 government shutdown was a stark reminder of the fragility of democracy, which somehow thankfully hung on this time. But this coming November, the future of our nation will be decided. The path to redemption lies in collective action, informed citizenship, and a renewed commitment to the principles of liberty, justice, and fairness. Only through concerted efforts can we prevent the descent into Idiocracy and preserve the ideals that have long defined the American experiment.
~ Amelia Desertsong
