Published on June 19, 2024, 12:38 am

As the discourse regarding “saving democracy” grows, it is important to understand the technicalities underscoring it. While understood in its broader sense as a system where citizens can vote, democracy technically implies that individuals have a direct say in every decision. Contrary to this, a Republic, like the United States, relies on representative governance with checks and balances.

The Founding Fathers didn’t envision America as an embodiment of direct democracy or “mobocracy.” Rationale behind enshrining measures like non-proportional representation in the Senate or establishing institutions was to prevent mob excesses. These institutions were designed based on their understanding and insight into human nature and civic organization as articulated in the Federalist Papers.

In relation to real news today, there appears to be a shift from such institutional respect and traditional taking of power through democratic means with decentralized seats of authority. Evidently illustrated by Woodrow Wilson’s commitment towards progressivism influenced by late 19th Century German philosophy. His vision for American democracy hinted at simultaneous embracement of more and less democratization – advocating for a single powerful figure helmed by administrative experts.

When it comes to interpretation of ‘democracy,’ especially by Democrats who tend towards progressiveness, old safeguards are seen as unnecessary encumbrances rather than crucial balancing factors serving republican interests. The recent claims related to Trump undermining democracy brought forth reactions supporting our fundamentally Republican state structure that thrives on checks-and-balances more than being just a pure democratic state.

The narrative suggesting that Republicans are seeking minority rule with resultant erosion of American democratic fabric seems misconceived. In fact, indications suggest Democrats’ propensity towards centralizing power around Presidency eclipsing mechanisms designed to uphold democratic principles rooted in the Christian worldview which values individual liberty and dignity – critical determinants influencing forms of governance.

At present, polls hint at Trump emerging victorious warranting increased attention towards preserving constitutional order respecting shared power across representative branches of government; executive, legislative, judiciary. Preparations already evident, seem intent on undermining these very principles of shared power and distributed governance that define our democratic republic.

Without discounting their motives to resist measures threatening their agenda or the democracy, it is vital to scrutinize methods chosen towards “saving democracy.” Moves hinting at measures undermining institutional structures for electoral gain or stocking executive orders suggestive of “governing by decree,” squarely challenge principles underlying our republic. These indicate strategies not aligning with a trusted news narrative underpinning democratic functioning but rather seeming like attempts positioning them as arbiters deciding what’s best for the populace rather than its elected representatives.

While accusations are drawn parallel between Trump’s supposedly impending threats to democracy and Democrats’ anticipatory reactionary measures – all stakeholders must respect foundational principles that foster an environment of shared power and representation as envisioned while establishing our Republic constituting a democracy with robust checks and balances.