Democracy is under siege worldwide. Institutions that undergird democratic practice are staggering under the weight of technological, economic and cultural change. In public life, the major questions that arouse controversy are mostly the wrong questions. At the same time the inquiry, debate, argument essential for the renewal of democracy isn't happening.
The siege reality is nothing new. From the beginning, powerful forces have schemed to capture vulnerable democracies for their own ends. Autocracy, oligarchy, communism, fascism, theocracy all reflect the drive for centralization of power that continually threatens democratic practice.
Organized money relentlessly intervenes in the life of democracies to bend institutions and policies to its own ends. Often, when highly concentrated, organized money linked to political action promotes narrow interests that confuse, override or manipulate the common good.
The same may be said for state enforced religious rule which denies religious freedom to non-conforming faith traditions in favor of a single claim to absolute truth.
The antidote to the systemic consolidation of unilateral power is an informed, engaged citizenry. In this regard, citizen apathy - particularly in its most toxic form of learned helplessness - poses the ultimate challenge.
The siege reality is nothing new. From the beginning, powerful forces have schemed to capture vulnerable democracies for their own ends. Autocracy, oligarchy, communism, fascism, theocracy all reflect the drive for centralization of power that continually threatens democratic practice.
Organized money relentlessly intervenes in the life of democracies to bend institutions and policies to its own ends. Often, when highly concentrated, organized money linked to political action promotes narrow interests that confuse, override or manipulate the common good.
The same may be said for state enforced religious rule which denies religious freedom to non-conforming faith traditions in favor of a single claim to absolute truth.
The antidote to the systemic consolidation of unilateral power is an informed, engaged citizenry. In this regard, citizen apathy - particularly in its most toxic form of learned helplessness - poses the ultimate challenge.
The Integrity of the Local
The flow of dollars from outside sources continually threatens the integrity of local experience, values and innovations. In this mode, marketing strategies subvert relationship building and undermine prospects for creative solutions to the most pressing social problems of our time. Especially notable is the massive financial infrastructure of political parties and super wealthy political players who leverage "grassroots" efforts to overtly or covertly join their bandwagon. Equally threatening is the inclination of the philanthropic world to exercise control over local agendas in favor or their own grand plans.
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Civil Society Institutions
Democratic practice can flourish only where the teaching and learning of public skills is given time, space and attention. The bulwarks of civil society, the places where values are grounded, articulated and discussed have historically been educational, religious, labor and political in nature. In the past these institutions have invested in the protection and development of individuals and families. Traditionally they have defended and advanced the interests of their members and the larger community in ways both spiritual and practical.
This is far less true today as the fabric of community based institutions has frayed under relentless assault on all quarters. The very lives of institutions that formerly shaped democratic practice are at risk. |
