Module 1

 Is Democracy Really Dying? 

 

 After much reading and understanding the four forms of government,  I'm left feeling perplexed and almost pessimistic. While the reading was beautiful and poetic at times, it almost felt like a facade. For instance, when socrates went on to discuss democracy being that of an "embroided robe", I couldn't help but smile. I came to understand democracy as this very metaphor: our society is rich in diversity of people, races, and ideologies all wanting to contribute to create a better/just world.  However, I wasn't too surprised when Socrates began to show how a democratic leader turns into a tyrant. Such a leader becomes drunk off of freedom and finds any means necessary maintain such power. This leader will manipulate the trust or fear of the people below him and use it towards his advantage. 

Doesn't that sound familiar? 

Trump mongered fear of Americans who thought their "jobs were being taken away", "criminals were crossing the borders", and of course "there's bad people on both sides". He gave no care to constructive criticism and is failing the whole nation in which he groverns. Or, if we were to look from the individual's perspective, gun reform and the second amendment would be a perfect example. During the height of mass shootings, there was a push for stronger gun reform. However, there a sector of citizens who felt that such reform would take away their second amendment rights. Such individuals disregarded the problem at hand and cared more about their own personal interest. So it's fair to say that tyrannical sensation can even exist among the citiznes themselves.  

Aristotle also warned of such governance, but the article gave no solutions or substitutes for democracy. Because despite all the negativity, democracy truly incorporates the voice of all people. No matter your creed or hue, you have a power that can excerted into society.  

 But maybe I'm typing all of this to tell myself that this is truth. Because the evidence is clear that democracy is suffering at this very moment. So what can I say or do?