Opinion | American democracy through the eyes of a former US President

By Augustus K. Yeung

"They seek to win by any means, and many Americans are being persuaded to think and act likewise, threatening to collapse the foundations of our security and democracy with breathtaking speed. I now fear that what we have fought so hard to achieve globally…has become dangerously fragile at home."

----JIMMY CARTER, the 39th president of the United States.

 

Introduction

In the years between the 1930s and 1940s, the world was furiously at war, fighting the German Nazis in Europe and the Japanese Imperialists in Asia--and China especially.

During China's War of Resistance Against the Japanese, the American army came to China's rescue, notably the "Flying Tigers" which shot down many Japanese fighter planes and bombers that were destroying houses and killing innocent civilians.

Those were the days when the two armies were jointly fighting the Japanese aggressors and winning the war gloriously. The word "fear" was totally unheard of in the White House--where the American presidents enjoyed democratic supremacy, having reached the zenith of power and authority.

Who would anticipate the loss of American innocence then, or imagine the threat to their precious democracy at home and abroad now?

The following is a former president's personal account on what's constitutionally threatening his beloved country, America:

America's First Fear of Threat at Home

"Just over a year ago, a violent mob, guided by unscrupulous politicians, stormed the U.S. Capitol and almost succeeded in preventing the democratic transfer of power. All four of us former presidents condemned their actions and affirms the legitimacy of the 2020 election. There followed a brief hope that the insurrection would shock the nation into addressing the toxic polarization that threatens our democracy," wrote Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States. ("I'm fearful for America's democracy". The New York Times. Friday, January 7, 2022.)

However, one year on, promoters of the lie that the election was stolen have taken over one political part and stoked distrust in our electoral systems. These forces exert power and influence through relentless disinformation, which continues to turn Americans against Americans. According to the Survey Center on American Life, 36 percent of Americans—almost 100 million adults across the political spectrum—agree that "the traditional American way of life is disappearing so fast that we may have to use force to save it. The Washington Post recently reported that roughly 40 percent of Republicans believe that violent action against the government is sometimes justified.

Politicians in my home state of Georgia, as well as in others, such as Texas and Florida, have leveraged the distrust they have created to enact laws that empower partisan legislatures to intervene in election processes. They seek to win by any means, and many Americans are being persuaded to think and act likewise, threatening to collapse the foundations of our security and democracy with breathtaking speed. I now fear that what we have fought so hard to achieve globally—the right to free, fair elections, unhindered by strongman politicians who seek nothing more than to grow their own power—has become dangerously fragile at home.

I personally encountered this threat in my own backyard in 1962, when a ballot-stuffing country boss tried to steal my election to the Georgia State Senate. This was in the primary, and I challenged the fraud in court. Ultimately, a judge invalidated the results, and I won the general election. Afterward, the protection and advancement of democracy became a priority for me. As president, a major goal [of mine] was to institute majority rule in southern Africa and elsewhere.

An American President, a Democrat for All Seasons

After I left the White House and founded the Carter Center, we worked to promote free, fair and orderly elections across the globe. I led dozens of election observation missions in Africa, Latin America and Asia, starting with Panama in 1989, where I put a simple question to administrators: "Are you honest officials or thieves?" At each election, my wife, Rosalynn, and I were moved by the courage and commitment of thousands of citizens walking miles and waiting in line from dusk to dawn to cast their first ballots in free elections, renewing hope for themselves and their nations and taking their first steps to self-governance. But I have also seen how new democratic systems—and sometimes even established ones—can fall to military juntas or power-hungry despots. Sudan and Myanmar are two recent examples.

For American democracy to endure, we must demand that our leaders and candidates uphold the ideals of freedom and adhere to high standards of conduct.

First, while citizens can disagree on policies, people of all political stripes must agree on fundamental constitutional principles and norms of fairness, civility and respect for the rule of law. Citizens should be able to participate easily in transparent, safe and secure electoral processes. Claims of election irregularities should be submitted in good faith for adjudication by the courts, with all participants agreeing to accept the findings. And the election process should be conducted peacefully, free of intimation and violence.

Second, we must push for reforms that ensure the security and accessibility of our elections and ensure public confidence in the accuracy of results. Phony claims of illegal voting and pointless multiple audits only detract from democratic ideals.

Third, we must resist the polarization that is reshaping our identities around politics. We must focus on a few core truths: that we are all human, we are all Americans and we have common hopes for our communities and our country to thrive. We must find ways to re-engage across the divide, respectfully and constructively, by holding civil conversations with family, friends and co-workers and standing up collectively to the forces dividing us.

Say No to Civil Conflict, or Risk the Loss of American Democracy

Fourth, violence has no place in our politics, and we must act urgently to pass or strengthen laws to reverse the trends of character assassination, intimidation and the presence of armed militias at events. We must protect our election officials—who are trusted friends and neighbors of many of us—from threats to their safety. Law enforcement must have the power to address these issues and engage in a national effort to come to terms with the past and present of racial injustice.

Lastly, the spread of disinformation, especially on social media, must be addressed. We must reform these platforms and get in the habit of seeking out accurate information. Corporate America and religious communities should encourage respect for democratic norms, participation in elections and efforts to counter disinformation.

Our great nation now teeters on the brink of a widening abyss. Without immediate action, we are at genuine risk of civil conflict and losing our precious democracy. Americans must set aside differences and work together before it is too late, wrote Mr. Carter. ("Fearful for democracy". The New York Times. Friday, January 7, 2022.)

Conclusion

This article was recently written by Jimmy Carter, a former U.S. president and the most patient and peaceful person who made his name when the Iranians were holding some Americans hostage. As the leader of a powerful nation, he could have bombed Iran into submission.

Instead, he unwisely made a pledge, telling the world that he would not leave the White House until the Iranians release the Americans. Americans were upset by their leader who had failed to show appropriate anger and return tit-for-tat.

In the end, he became one of those few American presidents who failed to secure a second term in the U.S. presidential election. This man of peace went on to gain a world-wide reputation for peace-loving and peace-keeping election inspections in the world's fight for democracy.

(P.S. Jimmy Carter cordially played host to China's paramount leader Deng Xiao-ping when he was invited to visit America in January 1979, and they became good friends. Those were the days when these world leaders amicably showed mutual respect.)

 

The author is a freelance writer; formerly Adjunct Lecturer, taught MBA Philosophy of Management, and International Strategy, and online columnist of 3-D Corner (HKU SPACE), University of Hong Kong.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of DotDotNews.

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