BRACK: Practice moderation to strengthen democracy Statehouse … – Statehouse Report
By Andy Brack | Baseball legend Yogi Berra used to say a lot of things that were a little odd and funny, but they often had little and big kernels of truth.
When considering whats happening across America in politics these days, this Yogi-ism seems particularly insightful: If you dont know where you are going, you might wind up someplace else.
The notion of feeling somewhere else not the America of just a decade ago seems to be permeating a politics where people dont listen to or appreciate others perspectives. Politics has become a spectator bloodsport where liberals and conservatives seem hellbent on pursuing my way of the highway solutions on everything from not defaulting on the national debt or changing immigration policy to abortion and peoples rights to live like they want.
Retired Clemson economics professor Holley Ulbrich offers a new book, Passionately Moderate, that fingers the need of polarized parties and tribes to talk, engage and compromise to practice real American democracy. If people dont negotiate, listen and compromise, the American experiment in ideas of freedom imbued in the Constitution is weakened.
In a democracy, unlike other forms of governance, each citizens needs, wants, preferences and opinions count for one and only one. One person, one vote, she writes.
Ignoring the rights, the concerns, the needs of one individual or group by giving undue preference to others undermines faith in the democracy and paves the way for some form of autocratic rule fascism on the right, communism on the left and ideology-free totalitarianism anywhere on the spectrum.
Perhaps thats why many Democrats feel like theyve been run over by a bulldozer driven by mostly white male Republicans pushing bans on abortion. Or Republicans feel President Joe Biden is being unreasonable on not making some budget cuts (ironically made necessary by lots of Republican spending and rich-guy preferential treatment during the Trump era).
Part of this national political disconnect among the people is due to an increasing cynicism by many about the media, which exists to report truths about those in power and to tell stories to connect us. But as the media diversified thanks to the Internet and traditional outlets got smaller, unsavory publishers and some governments worked to spread disinformation and misinformation, all of which are straining the American democratic process.
Information can breathe insight into a populace hungry for life, liberty and a pursuit of happiness, and this supports the idea of information being a source of power, writes longtime Ohio journalist Tony Ganzer in a new book, Kneading Journalism.
[But] the direct manipulation of information, and a press which might distribute it, is thus a way to foster distrust and quell tools of accountability.
Both books deal with sadly ebbing fundamentals for a stronger democracy. Ulbrich argues individuals need to passionately engage in moderation in politics to get acceptable outcomes maybe not the best every time, but outcomes that are good enough for now. Through reason and compromise, things can move forward, even though everybody isnt likely to be completely satisfied.
She writes that among virtues necessary for civil society to survive are acceptance, respect, prudence, honesty, fairness, justice, engagement, generosity, patience and courage. In other words, people should act like grownups and listen. Is that too much to ask of all citizen-patriots, regardless of party or point of view?
Similarly, Ganzer pushes the media, which provide information to allow citizens to make good decisions in their democracy, to be socially responsible by sticking to news fundamentals.
Stories are meant to be told clearly, accurately and concisely, he wrote. Do research. Account for cultural nuance. Consider your own bias. Confirm information: sometimes people manipulate the truth or out-right lie.
As citizens, lets strive to embrace moderation and compromise. As news consumers, lets demand truth, accuracy and broader information.
Andy Brack, recognized in 2022 as the best columnist in South Carolina, is editor and publisher of Statehouse Report and the Charleston City Paper. Have a comment? Send to: feedback@charlestoncitypaper.com.
Read this article:
BRACK: Practice moderation to strengthen democracy Statehouse ... - Statehouse Report
- Donald Trump and the unmooring of patriotism and democracy - The Hill - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Keeping the Faith in the Fight to Defend Democracy (Anne Applebaum) - The Bulwark - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Voices: Look to Logan as an example of a democracy and sustainable progress - Salt Lake Tribune - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Biden warns that an oligarchy is forming that threatens US democracy - Reuters - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- WATCH: Bidens final speech from the White House warns of an ultra-wealthy oligarchy that could threaten democracy - PBS NewsHour - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- VIDEO: Rebuilding the Arsenal of Democracy and Americas Defense Industrial Base - smallwarsjournal - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Gideon Levy & Mouin Rabbani on Ceasefire: Netanyahu Will Do Everything Possible to Kill It Later - Democracy Now! - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Proposed Legislation Threatens a Backslide on U.S. Democracy - New Lines Magazine - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Biden warns of rising democracy-threatening oligarchy in grim farewell speech - POLITICO - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Youth honored as 'Voice of Democracy' - Mount Airy News - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Biden touts record of upholding democracy in farewell speech - BBC.com - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- AI is assistive intelligence, can lead to better democracy - The Jakarta Post - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- GOP Already Controls the North Carolina Supreme Court Why Are They Obsessed With Overturning That Race? - Democracy Docket - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- The American oligarchy Biden denounced as a threat to democracy gained $1.5 trillion in net worth during his term - Fortune - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Big tech is picking apart European democracy, but there is a solution: switch off its algorithms | Johnny Ryan - The Guardian - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Jon Meacham: Democracy is a manifestation of all of us - Yahoo! Voices - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Opinion | Beyond Authoritarian Rage:The Cultural Will to Democracy - Common Dreams - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- [UPDATE] Washington Post still thinks "Democracy Dies In Darkness," but announces new mission - The A.V. Club - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Peckham: Democracy is for sale in the U.S. - Harrisonburg Daily News Record - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Are the young really so down on democracy? | Letters - The Guardian - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Thomas Piketty: 'In the global battle between democracy and oligarchy, one can only hope that Europeans will emerge from their lethargy' - Le Monde - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- The GOPs Grand Stand against Voting and Democracy - substack.com - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- 4 Voting Rights Cases SCOTUS May Hear That Could Reshape Elections - Democracy Docket - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Biden warns in farewell address that an 'oligarchy' of ultrarich in US threatens future of democracy - The Associated Press - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- A surge in radical governments, the hope of democracy - The Hindu - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- How Does It Feel to Have Your Legacy Be Genocide?: Max Blumenthal Confronts Outgoing Blinken - Democracy Now! - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Threats to democracy in the 2nd Trump administration - Niskanen Center - January 9th, 2025 [January 9th, 2025]
- North Carolina Supreme Court GOP Candidate Seeks to Tilt the Playing Field in His Favor - Democracy Docket - January 9th, 2025 [January 9th, 2025]
- Lessons from self-inflicted blows to democracy in South Korea and the U.S. - NPR - January 9th, 2025 [January 9th, 2025]
- Nowicki: Its a New Year. Will it be the same democracy? - Oregon Daily Emerald - January 9th, 2025 [January 9th, 2025]
- Democracy depends on obedience - America: The Jesuit Review - January 9th, 2025 [January 9th, 2025]
- The rise and fall of Justin Trudeau Democracy and society - IPS Journal - January 9th, 2025 [January 9th, 2025]
- Not All Elections Are Created Equal - Renew Democracy Initiative - January 9th, 2025 [January 9th, 2025]
- Kamala Harris says Americas democracy stood, after certifying Trumps election victory as it happened - The Guardian US - January 9th, 2025 [January 9th, 2025]
- Democracy dies, first, in the workplace: A conversation with Hamilton Nolan and Sara Nelson - The Real News Network - January 9th, 2025 [January 9th, 2025]
- The Militia and the Mole: Reporter Josh Kaplan on How a Freelance Vigilante Infiltrated U.S. Militias - Democracy Now! - January 9th, 2025 [January 9th, 2025]
- U.S. DOE Selects Nine Organizations for Regional Energy Democracy Initiative in Texas and Louisiana - SolarQuarter - January 9th, 2025 [January 9th, 2025]
- Everss Direct Democracy Initiative Should Go Directly to the Waste Bin - MacIverInstitute - January 9th, 2025 [January 9th, 2025]
- Unpacking the Meta Announcement: The Future of the Information Ecosystem and Implications for Democracy - Just Security - January 9th, 2025 [January 9th, 2025]
- Harris called Trump a danger to democracy. Now she is set to certify his election win - The Independent - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- After a year of elections, whats next for democracy in 2025? - Eco-Business - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- Psychological profile of Daniel Ortega and the Crisis of Democracy in Nicaragua - Robert Lansing Institute - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- Southeast Asias human rights and democracy: A reflection - The Jakarta Post - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- Fareed Zakaria, "The Crisis of Democracy Is Really a Crisis for the Left" / "Why Is the Left Flailing? Look at New York vs.... - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- Slotkin prioritizes protection of democracy ahead of U.S. Senate swearing-in - Michigan Advance - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- Before preaching democracy, political parties must lead by example: The Daily Star - asianews.network - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- Liberal Democracy Shrinks in India, Turkey and the US - IDN-InDepthNews - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- What does an America without democracy look like? Were about to find out. - The Hill - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- Biden says Trump is a genuine threat to democracy, scolds reporters - MSN - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- Nonprofits Are at the Core of American Democracy. Now Theyre Under Threat - TIME - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- New Congress Takes Office Tomorrow What This Means for Voting Rights - Democracy Docket - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- Who were the winners and losers of African democracy in 2024? - RFI English - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- Commentary: 2024 saw plenty of elections, little in the way of democracy - Stocktonia News - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- Opinion | The crisis of democracy is really a crisis for the left - The Washington Post - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- Biden takes departing jab at Trump, says he was a genuine threat to democracy - Fox8tv - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- The Best and Worst of 2024 - Democracy Docket - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- Democracy vs. bureaucracy: How populism became the handmaiden of tech - Washington Examiner - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- Avery Davis-Roberts former manager of The Carter Centers democracy program gives interview on Carter's legacy - Americus Times-Recorder - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- Jimmy Carter sought to expand democracy worldwide long after he left the White House - The Associated Press - January 1st, 2025 [January 1st, 2025]
- Local news organizations are vital to healthy communities and democracy | Guest Column - Port Townsend Leader - January 1st, 2025 [January 1st, 2025]
- Daily Briefing Dec. 30: Day 451 Democracy in Syria? De facto leader says not so fast - The Times of Israel - January 1st, 2025 [January 1st, 2025]
- What I learned from talking to Atlantans about our democracy this year - Atlanta Civic Circle - January 1st, 2025 [January 1st, 2025]
- In Trumps America, Theres Democracy Only When He Wins - Democracy Docket - January 1st, 2025 [January 1st, 2025]
- Democratic Sen. Andy Kim: 'The opposite of democracy is apathy' - CNN - January 1st, 2025 [January 1st, 2025]
- Germany, France and Poland condemn violence in Georgia, stress support for pro-democracy movement - The Associated Press - January 1st, 2025 [January 1st, 2025]
- The Fulcrum Democracy Forum Meets Tim Shriver, Special Olympics International Board of Directors - citybiz - January 1st, 2025 [January 1st, 2025]
- The inspiring resilience of democracy - Financial Times - January 1st, 2025 [January 1st, 2025]
- Lapid warns Israel must choose between democracy and theocracy - The Times of Israel - January 1st, 2025 [January 1st, 2025]
- The People and Groups Who Tried to Disenfranchise Voters in 2024 - Democracy Docket - January 1st, 2025 [January 1st, 2025]
- Opinion: 2024 was a Year of Elections when democracy lost out - The Globe and Mail - January 1st, 2025 [January 1st, 2025]
- PMs wife accuses AG of terrorizing Israeli democracy with probe into her conduct - The Times of Israel - January 1st, 2025 [January 1st, 2025]
- South Asia In 2024: Elections, Transitions, And The Struggle For Democracy - thefridaytimes.com - January 1st, 2025 [January 1st, 2025]
- Uprising for Democracy in the Caucasus - CounterPunch - January 1st, 2025 [January 1st, 2025]
- Our Country and Democracy Demand Open Hearts and Minds - Washington Monthly - January 1st, 2025 [January 1st, 2025]
- Hes anti-democracy and pro-Trump: the obscure dark enlightenment blogger influencing the next US administration - The Guardian US - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- Column | Musks dangerous, exaggerated conflation of social media and democracy - The Washington Post - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- In a year of global elections, what did we learn about the state of democracy? - NPR - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- Opinion | What if Our Democracy Cant Survive Without Christianity? - The New York Times - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- The Future of Democracy and Human Rights in American Foreign Policy - Center for Strategic & International Studies - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- Democrats really dont understand democracy, or why they lost the presidential election - OCRegister - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]