America has never been a democracy in the purest sense of the word and concept. There hasn’t been a country on Earth that ever has been. I’d reframe the premise of the question to ask: Is America aspiring to be a different kind of democracy than the one it seemed to aspire to after World War II? Or after the Civil Rights Movement? Or aft…
America has never been a democracy in the purest sense of the word and concept. There hasn’t been a country on Earth that ever has been. I’d reframe the premise of the question to ask: Is America aspiring to be a different kind of democracy than the one it seemed to aspire to after World War II? Or after the Civil Rights Movement? Or after the Reagan Revolution and the end of the Cold War? Or as it currently deals with the balkanization of information and tribalism caused by the advent of social media? America isn’t a failing democracy. It’s a flawed one. It always has been. The process of evolving into a better democracy is messy at times and sometimes looks regressive, like the period we are in now. But if you take the long view, these periods are necessary for America to eventually become a better version of itself…hopefully.
I am not persuaded by either/or arguments related to a highly complex subject. Your statement captures reality, Derrick. We are always in a both/and situation; the balance or imbalance being constantly subject to fluctuation. Deciding we are failing is not a solid prescription for improving. Neither is concealing our faults and failures. Perfection is reserved for some other planet than this one. America is an aspiration and always has been. What I would like to see is an open dialogue based on your description of who and what we are. That could be productive. Thank you for bringing this question to ground where we might usefully get our arm around it.
You wrote, "...democracy in the purist sense of the word and concept."
Actually, I believe that the "purist sense of democracy" was that practiced in Ancient Greece. That was not a "representative" democracy. The United States says we are living in a "representative democracy." Right-wingers often say that, "We are a republic; not a democracy." What they're really saying is we are not a Greek democracy.
The Greeks held slaves and their women could not vote. Only free, male citizens were considered citizens and had the right to vote. So even the Ancient Greeks did not practice democracy in the purest sense of all people being equal and each one having a vote.
America has never been a democracy in the purest sense of the word and concept. There hasn’t been a country on Earth that ever has been. I’d reframe the premise of the question to ask: Is America aspiring to be a different kind of democracy than the one it seemed to aspire to after World War II? Or after the Civil Rights Movement? Or after the Reagan Revolution and the end of the Cold War? Or as it currently deals with the balkanization of information and tribalism caused by the advent of social media? America isn’t a failing democracy. It’s a flawed one. It always has been. The process of evolving into a better democracy is messy at times and sometimes looks regressive, like the period we are in now. But if you take the long view, these periods are necessary for America to eventually become a better version of itself…hopefully.
I am not persuaded by either/or arguments related to a highly complex subject. Your statement captures reality, Derrick. We are always in a both/and situation; the balance or imbalance being constantly subject to fluctuation. Deciding we are failing is not a solid prescription for improving. Neither is concealing our faults and failures. Perfection is reserved for some other planet than this one. America is an aspiration and always has been. What I would like to see is an open dialogue based on your description of who and what we are. That could be productive. Thank you for bringing this question to ground where we might usefully get our arm around it.
Excellent statements Derrick.
Derrick:
You wrote, "...democracy in the purist sense of the word and concept."
Actually, I believe that the "purist sense of democracy" was that practiced in Ancient Greece. That was not a "representative" democracy. The United States says we are living in a "representative democracy." Right-wingers often say that, "We are a republic; not a democracy." What they're really saying is we are not a Greek democracy.
The Greeks held slaves and their women could not vote. Only free, male citizens were considered citizens and had the right to vote. So even the Ancient Greeks did not practice democracy in the purest sense of all people being equal and each one having a vote.
That is the most optimistic, hopeful view. I hope you are correct.