The article “Democracy under Pressure” published by Serge Schmemann on the 4th of December, 2014 in the New York Times gives an account of the diverse governance models of the world, especially the United States. The present economic models that favor the middle class become a threat to the Western liberal democracy. The newer democracy plagued with unpredictability and corruption is the major reason for economic turndown in the United States . Democracy actually means “rule by the people” (Greenberg & Page, 1996, ch1, p. 17). It is important that the American population involves in the democracy and works vigilantly to make sure that it delivers for the people and stand as the best governance system in the world. However, the current democracy progresses on pressure due to the increasing need for populism.
A democratic government must protect the human rights, enhance economic growth and allow the citizens to grow and thrive in the nation. However, in the current circumstances of the United States, the people are pursuing their interests and their group’s interests at the expense of others, which are putting an end to the complacence of democracy. The economic crisis in the United States is contributing to the up rise of the extremist forces in the country undermining the functioning and legitimacy of the democratic political system. The twentieth century reminds of the growth of two large totalitarian regimes, which emerged out of humiliation of war and unemployment of the larger sections of the population . A totalitarian regime is a form of government that controls all the aspects of the social, political and economic life (Greenberg & Page, 1996, ch1, p. 25).
The more static the country is, the more fragile it becomes during the time of crisis. Crisis favors the undemocratic forces of the country as the favored classes get angry when they lose the benefits they receive during the normal times. The government policies should reflect the desires of the people so that they participate in the process of elections, which indirectly elect the representative. A democratic government must look for equality both politically and economically. As the article mentions, the popular model of democracy allows the citizens to take an active role in the government through the role of technology and media, which play a major role in engaging people in democratic activities. However, the fear lies in the fact that the current sophisticated technology is a favoring tool for the small and elite population of the country instead of the country as a whole .
Media favors democracy for three major reasons. First, it allows giving speech to a maximum number of people. The result is evident from the increasing number of audience in public meeting than ever before. Second, media offers the opportunity and ability to organize the political parties and interested causes. Third, media educates the citizens as to what a democracy actually means. There is a political linkage between the public opinion, and campaigns and elections. In an optimistic point of view, the involvement of media in the democracy helps to bring changes that result in a new level of engagement, which lie exterior to the regular democratic procedures . Technology is a boon to democracy as it bridges the gap between hopes and fears. However, the involvement of the elitist population in the democratic procedures is a major drawback in the current political system of the United States.
The fact is that democracy never sustains in a five-minute talk with an average voter. A good democracy requires change. It must be dynamic in its approach. Though the current democratic situation of the United States is dynamic and vital in nature, power tends to corrupt and democracy becomes demanding. The people of democracy demand great changes in the “strain of civilization” . Majority tyranny is a major threat to the liberty of the nation as it threats the minority groups. When compared to the European countries, which undergo dramatic changes of globalization due to extremism and populism expressed by the political parties, the United States is an optimistic form of democracy with more focus on liberty and freedom in spite of the economic crisis (Greenberg & Page, 1996, ch.1, p. 21). The changing political takeover of the country on a regular basis through the form of elections offers positive changes in the society.
References
Greenberg, E. S., & Page, B. I. (1996). The Struggle for Democracy. HarperCollins College Publishers.
Schmemann, S. (2014, 12 04). Democracy Under Pressure. Retrieved 12 19, 2014, from The New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/04/opinion/democracy-under-pressure.html?_r=0
