Op-Ed: Safeguarding Our Democracy

Abou Ndiaye, John R. Lewis Social Justice Fellow | January 2023

Op-Ed: Safeguarding Our Democracy

I grew up in a country ruled by an authoritarian regime, thus I appreciate the virtues of democracy. My upbringing in Mauritania was dominated by a single-party regime that was controlled and commandeered by the president and his acolytes, who acquiesced to his every whim and desire. As a result, democracy was only a dream, particularly belonging to a minority ethnic group that was marginalized from political participation. Today, as a U.S. citizen, my conviction in safeguarding democracy stems from an upbringing of living under authoritarian conditions.

Political scientists, Juan Linz and Alfred Stepan, in their assessments of democracy, have often stated that consolidated democracies arise when democracy is the only game in town. They note that the establishment of democratic norms, frameworks and institutions are vital to a thriving and pluralistic society. The political elite and the population at large must agree upon shared political parameters and values that include the acceptance of universal suffrage. They must concede to the independence of autonomous institutions and resort differences through democratic means, where results are accepted, and appeals are heard without violent reactions and protests. Democracy also requires constant maintenance, as actors within and outside of the state will routinely challenge the legitimacy of democratic regimes. Therefore, safeguarding democracy requires the consent and acceptance of the entire body politic.

INFLUENCE OF THE MEDIA

The media has considerable influence on our democracy, particularly in the digital age. We have witnessed the propagation of democratic social movements such as the Black Lives Matter Movement and the Me Too Movement rise from our

Today, as a U.S. citizen, my conviction in safeguarding democracy stems from an upbringing of living under authoritarian conditions.

the legitimacy

burgeoning decentralized networks. On the contrary, social, television, and print media have also played a nefarious role in our democratic decline. Digital campaigns targeting Americans have altered perceptions, realities, and created an intricate web of elaborate conspiracy theories and fabrications. Due in part to misinformation, electoral integrity is viewed with pessimism from a large sect of the country. According to the Collaborative Multi-Racial Political Study, 57% of white Americans, 38% of Latinos, and 30% of African Americans believed voter fraud occurred in the 2020 elections, despite the elections being the most secure to date (Election Infrastructure Government Coordinating Council, 2020). The rise of misinformation has also produced violent reactions that are antithetical to democratic norms.

POLITICAL ACTORS AND THE BLACK COMMUNITY

Political actors have the sacred duty of promoting democratic ideals and failing to unequivocally condemn attacks against our democracy damages its vitality and durability. As history has shown, the Black community are the most reliable defenders of democracy in the U.S. African Americans have remained at the forefront of various movements that often included the expansions of civil liberties, such as, voting rights, political participation, and economic inclusion devoid of race, class, or gender. We also see this in voter mobilization. During the 2020 presidential elections, more than two-thirds of Black women turned out to vote (League of Women Voters, 2022). If unrestrained, the threat of authoritarianism will only attempt to erode the monumental gains made by the Black community due to insular beliefs that seek to impede progress and promote revisionism. The ardent supporters of authoritarianism often espouse ideologies that attempt to erase the contributions of African Americans in nation-building. Despite facing challenges that violate our civil liberties, African Americans remain steadfast in propagating democratic values and continue to prove so in the relentless agitation for equal rights.

Conclusion

In 2022, our democracy is in a defensive state. Most Americans believe in democracy as shown in our recent midterms, particularly younger generations. However, we are amid rhetoric that features violent undertones, electoral denials, and a flurry of unreliable information. The defenders of democracy must continue to challenge pro-authoritarian quarters and bolster democratic institutions. There must be an establishment of guidelines and ethical standards for the technology industry against the promotion and dissemination of misinformation. We must drive legislative reform that is responsible to the needs of citizens to contend against political expediency, such as granting student loan forgiveness, establishing a progressive tax system, passing the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, and expanding the welfare state to include healthcare reform such as universal healthcare for the most vulnerable.

Democracy also requires constant maintenance, as actors within and outside of the state will routinely challenge

of democratic regimes. If unrestrained, the threat of authoritarianism will only attempt to erode the monumental gains made by the Black community due to insular beliefs that seek to impede progress and promote revisionism.

REFERENCES

Brenan, B. M. (2022, September 21). Americans’ Confidence in Major U.S. Institutions Dips. Gallup.com. https://news.gallup.com/poll/352316/ americans-confidence-major-institutions-dips.aspx

Joint Statement from Elections Infrastructure Government Coordinating Council & the Election Infrastructure Sector Coordinating Executive Committees | CISA. (2020, November 12). https://www.cisa.gov/news/2020/11/12/joint-statement-elections-infrastructure-governmentcoordinating-council-election

Klepper, D. K. (2022, October 13). Poll: Most in US say misinformation spurs extremism, hate. AP NEWS. https://apnews.com/article/religioncrime-social-media-race-and-ethnicity-05889f1f4076709c47fc9a18dbee818a

Sanchez, G. K. R. M. (2022, July 26). Misinformation is eroding the public’s confidence in democracy. Brookings. https://www.brookings.edu/blog/ fixgov/2022/07/26/misinformation-is-eroding-the-publics-confidence-in-democracy/

The Economist Group - Democracy Index 2021: less than half the world lives in a democracy. (2022, February 10). The Economist Group. https:// www.economistgroup.com/group-news/economist-intelligence/democracy-index-2021-less-than-half-the-world-lives-in-a-democracy

The power of us: Black women deciding elections | League of Women Voters. (2022, September 14). https://www.lwv.org/newsroom/news-clips/ power-us-black-women-deciding-elections