What Happens When Democracy Dies
(Spoiler: It's Not Pretty)
Call it survival instinct, self-preservation, or being ‘delulu’ — but I’ve gone on a fairly strict media fast since November 6th — that is, until events from around the world came up to pop my happy bubble.
Things are moving quickly, but to name a few: In South Korea, citizens didn’t just protest — they literally formed human corridors to prevent their president from seizing dictatorial power. In Romania, after months of pro-democracy demonstrations, a top court annulled the first round of its presidential elections due to Russian interference. In Tbilisi, Georgia, crowds have been protesting for weeks against their authoritarian regime. In Africa, countries from Chad to Senegal are actively severing centuries-old colonial ties to France. To anyone paying attention, these aren't just isolated incidents — they seem to be part of a global pattern of people defending democracy and rejecting outdated, coerced ruling structures.
Meanwhile, in a United States facing a potential despot, we’re serenaded by the usual cricket orchestra.
To clarify, I'm not trying to make simplistic comparisons between our circumstances and those of those countries, or discount the tireless work of activists everywhere. I am, however, led to wonder: what could have possibly led the average person in this country into this state of passive acceptance? In my totally unscientific opinion, it’s most likely a combination of somewhat random things. Dare I list them?
Lack of civic literacy: Our long-neglected public education system has mostly eschewed teaching civics, leaving whole swaths of the population with no idea of how their government works, what their rights are, or how to participate.
Technology: Tech doesn’t only keep us distracted, it also segregates us into our own little digital echo chambers, splintering any notion of a collective experience. As a consequence, reality has become selective, subjective, with facts dismissed in favor of whatever confirms our deep-seated biases.
“Me culture”: We’ve mistakenly confused individualism with selfish gain, becoming apathetic about collective rights. How are we to solve issues that need unified efforts, like poverty, climate change and public health, if we’re all out here acting like self-obsessed main characters?
‘Clicktivism’: In a click-obsessed society, activism is slowly becoming just another form of content – a product to be targeted, made viral, and consumed. A few loudmouths drown out our collective voice, casting grassroots action aside for likes and shares. After all, isn’t it easier to post about class consciousness than to take concrete action for actual equality? 🙄
Exhaustion: Between economic stress, culture wars, and daily survival, we barely have any energy to fight back. Resisting has become a luxury few of us can afford.
We’ve been spoiled, historically. Generations of uninterrupted democracy have lulled us into believing our freedoms are some untouchable birthright. Newsflash: they're not.
To me, this last point is perhaps the most pervasive of all. Most of us have never experienced the suffocating reality faced by citizens in dictatorial regimes — where a social media post could trigger government interrogation or worse, a “disappearance,” as it happens in places like China or Belarus. Where a casual joke at work could cost you everything, as it happens in North Korea or Eritrea. Where medical treatments demand multiple government approvals, as they do in Venezuela and Nicaragua. Where your bank account can be “frozen” unexpectedly, as it’s happened in Zimbabwe or Argentina.
Am I missing anything? The truth is, we tend to look at those reports as fantastical tales from far-away lands, not as signs of things that could unfold here. What we need to come to grips with, as I’m sure people in those countries can attest, is that losing democracy isn't some abstract political concept. It's about our actual lives, our families’ futures, the very fabric of our daily existence.
Authoritarian regimes don’t just manifest out of thin air, they rise from the intentional and gradual erosion of what’s considered “normal.” You know, the kind of erosion that’s already happening in red states all over the country? In Texas, doctors face potential prosecution for discussing reproductive options with patients. In Florida, procuring gender-affirming care has become a criminal act. In Georgia, new voting requirements disproportionately impact minority communities.
Each of these changes seems small, manageable, almost inconsequential: A banned book here. A workplace rule adjusted there. The polarization of the public. The normalization of what should be considered outrageous. The systematic dismantling of checks and balances via loyalist appointments. Until one day, you wake up under absolute rule. Game over.
These tactics, all implied or stated intentions of the upcoming administration, aim to erode our trust in democratic institutions, create a state of compliance and apathy, and concentrate political power in the hands of a few.
So yeah, one of these days we’ll have to come to terms with the fact that our democratic institutions, while robust, are not invincible. And it pains me to say it but, many people won't even notice, care enough or give it a thought until it hits them in the face. By then, it will be too late. When democracy fails, it doesn’t wait. It's like an avalanche of destruction that engulfs everything in its path. It also spares no one: when one community FAFOs — we all partake in that FAFO.
You see, when unions disappear and corporate interests reign supreme, worker benefits we all enjoy, like paid vacation and overtime, become a thing of the past. When schools discourage critical thinking, everyone’s children learn to be compliant servants to the powerful. When a state sanctions discrimination, the doors of opportunity and capital open *only* for those already holding the keys. Not for us *little people*.
I know I’m preaching to the choir here but do you see where I’m going with this? Democracy isn't some clever political sign hanging on your lawn, or a cute hat you put on every four years until the beginning of November. It's the fail-safe that protects our collective future. It's living, breathing thing, a daily practice of showing up, speaking out, and defending everyone’s rights — especially those of the most vulnerable.
Think about the Civil Rights Movement, where Black Americans risked everything to demand their constitutional rights. Or labor organizers, thanks to whom workers now have dignity, fair wages, and safe working conditions. Or even – if we want to go all the way here – the original Tea Party that led to the very birth of this country. These weren't just exceptional moments in history. These were movements driven by people like you and me, who decided that things could — and should— be better. Everyday people have always been the true heroes keeping democratic dreams alive.
Here’s what I want to know: Are we going to continue to take our freedoms for granted? Are we going to remain passive, assume someone else will protect our rights, or worse, focus on endless tribal finger-pointing while our way of life is systematically dismantled? Or will we channel the spirit of our fellow democracy-lovers in history and around the world?
The question now isn't whether authoritarianism can happen in this country. The real question is: What’s it going to take for us to stand up for democracy?
Whether we acknowledge it or not, we're part of the global narrative. The resistance movements in Georgia, Senegal, and South Korea are not just local stories happening at random. They point to a global shift in defense of participatory systems of governance. For us in the U.S., I hope they serve as an urgent warning to safeguard our precious democratic ideals now, or forever watch them crumble. If there was ever a time to resist, the time is NOW.
~E
P.S. If you know of any plans for the revolution, please reach out😉In the meantime, here’s a couple of actions we can take right now. Please let me know of any others in the comments! TYSM.
Call the White House (202- 456-1111) and ask President Biden to publish the Equal Rights Amendment, which would codify equality of rights regardless of sex or gender. You can also sign Free Speech For People’s petition
Sign Win Without War’s petition to tell the Senate to protect non-profits by rejecting the “Non-profit Killer” bill (H.R. 9495)
Sign the ACLU’s petition to prevent the Orange Menace’s plans for mass deportations
Sign Demand Progress’ petition to stop the GOP from slashing IRS funding and crippling enforcement against tax cheats
Sign Demand Universal Healthcare’s petition to the President and Congress to deliver Universal Healthcare for all
Sign EveryLibrary’s petition against book bans and government censorship
Add to my list of resources serving at-risk communities, and please share it!