We Can Determine What America Becomes
April 11, 2025Living in a Democracy or an Autocracy
Which would you prefer, living in a democracy or an autocracy? We all should ask that question as we witness what is happening in some of our state governments and Washington, DC.
Historically, there has been the proverbial argument about whether the United States is a democracy or a republic. The answer is that the United States is both. But that question pales in comparison to the one looming over Americans today.
Will America remain a democracy, a democratic republic?
You might become indignant at the very question. More importantly, imagine what living in a democracy or an autocracy could be like.
Given the political direction and actions taking place today, it is becoming more difficult to recognize the democratic republic you were taught about in school and have assumed you were living under.
Living in a Democracy or an Autocracy
(Photo by tumsasedgars/iStock Images)
How would you characterize the behavior of those occupying the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government? Is America slipping from a democracy to an autocracy, an oligarchy or some combination?
We need not dig too deeply in the annals of history to see how and what happens when a democracy slips into an autocracy.
Which would you prefer, living in a democracy or an autocracy?
Germany was a democracy until Adolf Hitler turned in into an autocracy. It only took him 53 days, less than two months.
Vadimir Putin systematically dismantled democratic institutions and organizations, replaced individuals with loyalists, attacked and seized control of the media to solidify Russia becoming an autocracy, ruled by oligarchs. Putin, remaining chief among them.
We have seen Hungary’s democracy changed to an autocracy under the leadership of President Viktor Orban; and Turkey’s democracy changed to an autocracy under the leadership of its president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
All of these leaders have one thing in common: They dismantled their democratic government from within.
Living in a democracy or an autocracy warrants serious consideration.
How were leaders able to convert democracies into autocracies?
Because the majority of the people ignored the signs, sat back and did nothing.
Are we willing to do the same and forfeit our way of life?
It behooves every American citizen to look into how democracies are destroyed from within. There are valuable lessons to be learned.
Do we get involved in keeping our democratic way of life, or do we ignore the signs, sit back and do nothing as it devolves into an oppressive autocratic oligarchy?
Will we enjoy living in a democracy or an autocracy?
That is the question. Only we can determine the answer.
This is an excerpt from my article that appeared in The Missouri Independent
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