The necessity of an educated and engaged citizenry

Most Americans believe it is important to live in a democratically governed country. And a substantial majority say that democratic government is a very important factor in this nation’s success. But there is a significant gap between the attachment to democracy as an ideal and perceptions of how well our democracy is functioning and whether it is sustainable. 

More than 60% of Americans believe our democracy is in crisis and at risk of failing. And there is growing public contempt for many of our democratic institutions and norms. A large number of our citizens no longer even trust their government. Many express doubts about the integrity of our electoral system and still refuse to accept Joe Biden as our duly elected president despite the absence of any evidence that his election was not fair and not rigged. This includes both the former president, who lost the election, and many Republicans in both Congress and the public. It’s glaring proof that one of our two major political parties is now permeated with people who are not committed to democracy.

Unfortunately, too many citizens either exhibit no concern about this or are indifferent about what it could portend. They have a false belief that our democracy is a self-sustaining system that doesn’t require both an open public commitment to democracy that transcends politics, and an educated and actively engaged citizenry which holds their elected representatives accountable when they abandon democratic norms.