democracy

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The limits of democracy

My last blog mentioned Ben Rhodes’ book After the Fall. In that, Mr Rhodes recounts a conversation he had with Alexey Navalny about the importance of America as a positive example of democracy. He quotes Mr Navalny as saying “Here’s why Trump is a tragedy for us. All my literature is based on the idea that free elections are a system where a better guy becomes higher and a worse guy becomes lower. And now what is the example? At the high point of this democracy there is someone corrupted.” Whilst I have nothing but admiration for Mr Navalny I feel his view of the benefit of democracy sets the bar too high.

Democracy does not guarantee the best governments. What it does do is limit the power of the worst through the operation of an independent judiciary, a free press and a host of other checks and balances which distribute rather than concentrate power. It also provides a route to getting rid of really bad leaders without recourse to violence.

US democracy was tested by the Trump presidency, and, like many other would-be tyrants he attacked the institutions that limited his power. Ultimately, however, he was voted out of office. Messy? Maybe, but effective.

Trump’s attempt to remain in power was not successful because enough people across the US political system, including his own vice President and, critically, the military, remained loyal to the office of president as opposed to its holder. Loyal to the fundamental foundation of the democratic process.

Clearly, the challenge to American democracy continues and Trump threatens to run again in 2024 and there are a lot of people who would vote for him. His chances would be much reduced, however, if a key part of the political political system in the US said what they think about him.

In a two party democracy the role of the opposition is critical and GOP has a huge burden of responsibility going forward. Their failure to make clear allegations about electoral fraud have no evidence to support them, and that the claim the election was stolen is a dangerous lie, creates enormous political risk. It means millions of US citizens will have their trust in democracy undermined. They will believe there is a credible case for Trump having been cheated of the presidency.

GOP members were alongside Democrats under the tables on 6 January and very happy to be taken to a safe location. In a country with a very well armed population, any undermining of the legitimacy of the process whereby candidates secure power is a high stakes game. If people do not accept the result of an open and free democratic process you have got to worry about what they put in its place.

Mr Navalny may not be clear on the limits of democracy, however, I am certain he is crystal clear on the limits of its absence. Democracy may only be the least worst political system but in the messy world of politics that means practically it is the best. The Republicans would do well to reflect on this.

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It’s a Landslide!

Back in June I predicted Joe Biden would win the 2020 presidential election under the contrarian headline “Why Joe Biden will not win the US Election”. My point was President Trump would lose it. However, for a second, I will bask in the glory of calling the outcome correctly so far out.

At the time I berated myself for thinking that the future was my specialist subject and I was correct. As the months went by and the CovEcon-19 leviathan killed people and employment I convinced myself we were in for a “blue wave” election with a Biden landslide.

I was wrong. President Trump actually secured an increase in his popular vote. He was only beaten by a record turnout which favoured Biden by 4m votes or just over 2% of the electorate. It pains me to say it but it is a real achievement for Trump to secure that much of the vote in a democracy.

Much will be made of this incredibly close and highly contested election. It will be called in evidence of the partisan divide. Illustrating how far apart Americans are. And it is true there is an enormous amount of reconciliation to be achieved by a Biden presidency, which will not be easy as some of the issues are not susceptible to a compromise solution.

However, the true winner here was democracy. Whether they supported Biden or Trump the American people, in unprecedented numbers, chose to do so by voting. Yes, there have been dark noises off, not least from the incumbent, but at the end of the day 70m+ Trump supporters thought the way to provide that support was through the ballot box.

It is early days and trumped up legal challenges, poisonous tweets and attempts at transition sabotage may well raise the temperature but 146m Americans have thrown their weight behind a system which provides for a peaceful transfer of power. Neither candidate may have secured a landslide but democracy did.

(45) How to reform today’s rigged capitalism | Financial Times

Opinion Capitalism
How to reform today’s rigged capitalism
We must address weakened competition, feeble productivity growth, high inequality and degraded democracy
MARTIN WOLF Add to myFT

via (45) How to reform today’s rigged capitalism | Financial Times

Northern Comment – This is one of many articles from people who wish the ends but not the means. Those who analyse the problem superbly well, e.g. inequality, but hope/believe, that it can addressed by some kind of rational process. I wish! Sadly, I think those that “have” think it is nothing less than they are due. Rational argument is unlikely to win. Irrational violence is more likely to be the ultimate arbiter. Just hope this happens somewhere else.