Francis Fukuyama argues that democracy is the culmination of a final stage of the world’s political and ideological development. Writing in 1992, at the end of the Cold War, Fukuyama portrayed democracy as an inevitable outcome ending history because “rule by the people,” democracy’s meaning, is the final stage of our development. There are many who believe this. But should we?
A recent poll found that in this election over four in five of us believe that democracy is in trouble. Its fate will be determined by the ballot. Indeed, this is one of the few conclusions that all of us across the political spectrum agrees upon. Of course, each side blames the other. On one side, there is a Presidential candidate who argues the other side threatens democracy through the weaponization of the government and wanting certain social media free speech restrictions. While the other side points to inflammatory rhetoric by a candidate who complains of past election fraud, threatens to jail his opponents, suspend the Constitution and be a dictator, but only on day one.
Consequently, depending on perspective, voting for either candidate could save or destroy democracy. But why should we care? About two thirds of all Americans in a 2024 study say that our democracy is not working very well. Moreover, there are some who go farther. About one quarter of Democrats and almost one third of Republicans think democracy is no longer viable. A dour view reflected in the public’s esteem of our democratic institutions. Polls show people have a better opinion of head lice, colonoscopies, and root canals than Congress.
This trend is not confined to U.S. politics. About two thirds of the world’s people live-in autocratic regimes, not democracies, a trend that increased by 48 percent in just in the past decade. It is not just the fickleness of today’s generations. About two and a half millennia ago the great Greek philosopher Plato, maintained that democracy was inferior to monarchy or aristocracy. With its over reliance on equality, individual freedom, and indulgence of personal desire, democracy would be unstable and irrational, undermining the harmonious order needed for a just society.
Still, if history and current events are our guide why care about democracy’s decline or fall? Things change. The acorn grows into the oak. Feudal systems disappear and maybe it is time for democracy to go the way of the dinosaur. To answer this challenge, we must look at both results – under which system do we get better outcomes -- as well as philosophy -- what we want to be as a people. These are big questions. Results first.
Empirically, on average studies show that people are happier, healthier, have better technological and scientific progress, more prosperity, as well as greater social stability and peacefulness in democracies than authoritarianism. Granted, it is difficult to understand whether democracy is cause of this or just an effect produced by a good outcome. Do democracies create their happiness and prosperity, or do societies adopt democracy when they are happier and more prosperous? Further, there are also notable counter examples to democracies. China, an authoritarian regime, lifted over 850 million people out of poverty, reducing it globally by 70 percent. But allin- all, democracies have a better record in these areas.
But empirical warrants are insufficient. We must ask ourselves what form of government makes us better? That answer is clearly democracy. The American 20th Century Philosopher, John Dewey maintained that there was a profound interconnection between democracy and scientific progress. Democratic societies require the scientific method to solve social problems which in turn fosters a culture of critical thinking, continuous learning and search for truth that advance science and society.
True, democracy has always harbored some maladies. It is constantly developing hopefully to fix its ills. Democracy did not emerge fully formed the way Athena did from the head of Zeus. The Declaration’s high-sounding phrase that “all men are created equal”, did not at first apply to “all men” let alone Native Americans, African Americans, or women. No, democracy possesses the same ailments we all do. For it is government of, by, and for the people. It reflects us. As stated in the Federalist Paper No. 51., “if men were angels, no government would be necessary.” But we certainly are not angels, and the problem is, as Federalist No. 51 continues, “[i]n framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself.”
It gives us the autonomy and agency to make our decisions. We are not restrained by dictators or autocrats, who tell us what to do or how to live. To paraphrase the Constitution, we are responsible for how “we the people” pursue happiness and that freedom has generally led to better protection of fundamental human rights, enhanced citizen participation, more secure communities, greater tolerance, and adherence to the rule of law. There are notable exceptions. No, it is certainly not perfect. But our evaluation of it should be set against other types of government, such as authoritarianism, not nonexistent utopias.
Today, democracy confronts many obstacles. Massive technological and social changes displacing jobs, families, and communities. An internet that brings us closer together and farther apart. Push back from change creates sectarian and ethnic violence. Major global challenges from climate change, governmental instability, or military aggression yields large population migrations that put us at risk. Right now, it seems our democracy is unable to deal with these challenges. We prefer instead to get deadlocked in silly partisan bickering that produces more calls for authoritarianism.
Democracy may be on the ballot this election, but it will only win if we vote to protect it. If we work together and reach a common understanding so that we are better able to achieve a more perfect Union. As Winston Churchill quipped “democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others.” We need to remember this as we vote this year.