For years, the democratic ideal has been at the forefront of U.S. political culture. Even in times of seemingly insurmountable national strife, democratic values remained steadfast and democratically elected leaders prevailed over the opposition. Though it has endured so far, our democracy is now dangerously unstable. Corruption and dysfunction, coupled with a recent rise in political violence, have rendered our democracy on the verge of collapse.
Political violence, a hallmark of authoritarian governments, is rising. The Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection likely comes to mind. As The New York Times noted, watching an attempted coup, spurred on by politicians and pundits, unfold in real time on TV substantially impacted our faith in our democracy.
“Jan. 6 showed us… the harsh reality of how divided we are, and how the wrong people take that division way too far,” Richard Montgomery High School freshman Ananya Govind said.
More concerning is the political reaction to it. Almost a third of all Republicans running for state office believe that the 2020 election results were fraudulent. Less than half would publicly say President Joe Biden was the rightful president. By continuing to run candidates who parrot this claim America, risks more domestic terrorism and violence by believers of these lies.
A more subtle sign of failing democracy is political corruption: biased officials cannot adequately represent their constituents. In the 2010 case Citizens United V. FEC (Federal Elections Committee), the Supreme Court ruled that corporations could spend unlimited funds on elections and campaigns. Since the decision, wealthy companies, special interest groups and elite donors have spent increasing amounts of money on candidates who serve their own interests rather than the interests of everyday people. The principles of democratic representation are directly incompatible with the influence of dark money on our elected officials.
Besides these recent issues, the U.S. has long had undemocratic aspects of government. Voter suppression has existed as long as our country, with the original Constitution only allowing white, land-owning men to vote. Amendments broadening suffrage have not prevented politicians from exploiting loopholes to try to limit it.
In recent years, voter suppression laws have been predominantly pushed by Republicans to subdue the voting of people of color and lower-income voters, who swing more Democratic. These include voter purges targeting naturalized citizens, bills cutting the number of voting centers in diverse areas and requiring photo ID, which poorer and non-white voters tend not to own.
“[It] changes our elections to reflect what non-suppressed people want and believe, not the wants and beliefs of the whole country,” Thomas S. Wootton High School freshman Christina Chow said. Restricting the right to vote contradicts a core tenet of democracy: free and fair elections.
Although pessimism is often a convenient fallback, America isn’t doomed. Activists and politicians are fighting voter suppression, trying to pass Congressional bills like the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the For the People Act to protect voting rights. Congressional committee members are holding hearings to investigate the Jan. 6 insurrection. Even if you can’t vote yet, your elected officials still represent you, so hold them accountable. Call their offices to voice your support or concerns for legislation. Campaign finances are publicly available online—before supporting a candidate, look into their funding. Exercise your right to free speech, because democracy is built and bound by the voices of the people it serves.
Written by Avni Koenig of Thomas S. Wootton High School
Graphic courtesy of Tia Daher of Seneca Valley High School