The Interpreter: Myanmar’s grim lesson for America — Who Keeps Democracy Alive? If you grew up in the United States, or any of the world’s established democracies, you almost certainly learned an essential truism of democracy that is not really true. But the events in Myanmar this week, and the United States in the weeks before, hint at something that rarely gets mentioned in flag-waving after-school specials: that democracy exists at the pleasure of the political elites, who install and uphold that system for precisely as long as they believe it’s in their interests to do so. Citizens matter. But grass-roots organizing, protests, even armed revolt don’t, in themselves, impose democracy. Rather, they put pressure on elites to do so, implicitly offering stability if those elites will usher in honest elections and all that change that brings. But this implies the inverse: If it’s the elites who institute democracy to better their own positions, they can take it away for the same reason.
Maybe the American readers see where this is going. The United States’ democracy is one of the world’s oldest and, until recently, generally considered one of the most stable. One reason for that: Its ruling elites, from county clerks and small-town mayors up to the Supreme Court and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, are broadly bought into the democratic system. But, in the last few months, a meaningful subset of the country’s ruling elites — lawmakers, bureaucratic officials, even the president — sought to overturn the voters’ power to choose leaders. Their plan collapsed when they failed to recruit other governing elites. “A well-functioning, orderly democracy does not require us to actively think about what sustains it,” Mr. Pepinsky said. “It’s an equilibrium, everybody is incentivized to participate as if it will continue. So we just don’t have to think about it.” Until we do.
and, Liz Cheney is attacking democrats for revoking Greenes power. Saying it sets a precedent and that they should have left it up to republicans to deal with their own caucus.
The GOP is truly the Trump/QAnon party now. Dems need to stop pulling punches and stop this rampant slide into totalitarian fascism the GOP is currently on before its too late.
It interesting how different comics elicit curious comments. If you want a break from “discussions” (i.e., “rants”) I recommend “Wallace the Brave” or “Calvin and Hobbes”.
“Hastert Rule. The Republican Rule that when they have the majority, Democrats aren’t even allowed to bring bills to the floor for a vote.” It’s not a rule, it’s a custom — and Democrats follow it too. They point to all the changes the Republicans proposed when Obamacare was being debated in the House — not one of which was voted on.
kaffekup almost 4 years ago
Yeah, go to church, Carmen.
Kurtass Premium Member almost 4 years ago
Disown the republican party.
Sanspareil almost 4 years ago
Attempt the “Diet of Worms”!
rossevrymn almost 4 years ago
Quit talking to the QOP?
William Robbins Premium Member almost 4 years ago
Ok, I’m tuning in for the next episode…
The Interpreter: Myanmar’s grim lesson for America — Who Keeps Democracy Alive? If you grew up in the United States, or any of the world’s established democracies, you almost certainly learned an essential truism of democracy that is not really true. But the events in Myanmar this week, and the United States in the weeks before, hint at something that rarely gets mentioned in flag-waving after-school specials: that democracy exists at the pleasure of the political elites, who install and uphold that system for precisely as long as they believe it’s in their interests to do so. Citizens matter. But grass-roots organizing, protests, even armed revolt don’t, in themselves, impose democracy. Rather, they put pressure on elites to do so, implicitly offering stability if those elites will usher in honest elections and all that change that brings. But this implies the inverse: If it’s the elites who institute democracy to better their own positions, they can take it away for the same reason.
Maybe the American readers see where this is going. The United States’ democracy is one of the world’s oldest and, until recently, generally considered one of the most stable. One reason for that: Its ruling elites, from county clerks and small-town mayors up to the Supreme Court and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, are broadly bought into the democratic system. But, in the last few months, a meaningful subset of the country’s ruling elites — lawmakers, bureaucratic officials, even the president — sought to overturn the voters’ power to choose leaders. Their plan collapsed when they failed to recruit other governing elites. “A well-functioning, orderly democracy does not require us to actively think about what sustains it,” Mr. Pepinsky said. “It’s an equilibrium, everybody is incentivized to participate as if it will continue. So we just don’t have to think about it.” Until we do.
dotbup almost 4 years ago
GOP votes to remove Cheney from leadership: 61
GOP votes to remove Greene from committees: 11
and, Liz Cheney is attacking democrats for revoking Greenes power. Saying it sets a precedent and that they should have left it up to republicans to deal with their own caucus.
The GOP is truly the Trump/QAnon party now. Dems need to stop pulling punches and stop this rampant slide into totalitarian fascism the GOP is currently on before its too late.
Michael G. almost 4 years ago
Someone should take L. Cheney aside and quietly, kindly, point out the difference between her ass and third base.
zeediva almost 4 years ago
It interesting how different comics elicit curious comments. If you want a break from “discussions” (i.e., “rants”) I recommend “Wallace the Brave” or “Calvin and Hobbes”.
wagnertinatlanta almost 4 years ago
“Hastert Rule. The Republican Rule that when they have the majority, Democrats aren’t even allowed to bring bills to the floor for a vote.” It’s not a rule, it’s a custom — and Democrats follow it too. They point to all the changes the Republicans proposed when Obamacare was being debated in the House — not one of which was voted on.