Thoughts from the Middle

American Democracy: Are We Losing It?

The Failure of Americans to Understand Our History and Basic Political Science

By Robert J. Fischer

When the press called the presidential election in favor of Joe Biden, followed by the Electoral College declaring him President, I was not surprised that President Donald Trump failed to acknowledge Biden’s victory.  That’s just part of his character!  However, I was disappointed in Republican law makers and Trump voters who failed to acknowledge the results, and who questioned the process.  Why? 

As an historian and former school board president, I have lamented the decline in  history classes in our school curricula, as well as the similar decline in the teaching of civics.  Our founding fathers believed that the most important thing in keeping our government by the people was an educated public.  Why would they believe that?  As Thomas Jefferson wrote to John Adams, he was afraid that the memories of all that had been discussed and fought for would be forgotten unless there was someone to tell the story.  An understanding of the history of what transpired prior to 1776, and the aftermath of the Declaration of Independence, is essential to keeping our democracy.  We need to know who our founding fathers were, what they stood for, and what they died for.  It is essential that we know and appreciate the workings of the government that they created. If we don’t understand the democracy that they created, those whom we entrust with governing may trample on the rights of the people and harm the democracy that they fought so hard to establish.

The failure of millions of Americans to understand basic civics and the underpinnings of our democracy have led America to a point where some do not trust the process.  Even though the majority of those serving the people have insured that the election process was fair, too many still doubt!

The root causes of this phenomenon are several, including a feeling of abandonment by many main stream Americans.  But perhaps more important is the failure of our education system to provide the necessary information for all Americans to understand how our government by the people truly works.  Through an understanding of the operation of government, it may be possible to right the wrongs that currently exist inherent in government.

While our founding fathers established a representative democratic republic, they understood that to truly have a government of the people, the people needed to be involved at all levels.  Yet, there were skeptics who believed that the average American did not have the ability to make informed decisions.  That is why Jefferson and others advocated for a strong education. Educated people can potentially make good decisions.  Good decisions require knowledge of the issues, an understanding of what is to be achieved, and a knowledge of what America stands for.

An education must include a history of America, so that people understand what our founding fathers and revolutionaries fought for.  It must also include a thorough study of the Constitution and the operation of our government. ( For example, several decades ago there was a cartoon, “How a Bill Becomes Law,” that helped our youth understand how a bill is shaped and moves through Congress to the Executive Branch for signature.)  Students also need skills in critical thinking.  These include an understanding of how to evaluate source materials.  In this age of instant media coverage, it is even more important than several decades ago.  Too much of the information that is presented today is either a “rush to press,” something that should clearly be labeled as “editorial“ or “opinion,” or just plain false!  People need to know how to evaluate their sources in order to make informed decisions. 

People must also know how to evaluate the performance of their elected representatives in Congress.  The joke today is that a representative or senator simply has a lobbyist write the bill and then they introduce it to their respective chamber.  It is a bad joke, but it does have some merit. 

How do we gain control of our democracy?  One starting point should be local involvement in our education system– being aware of, and involved in, the curricula that our schools teach.  Citizens should also get to know the teachers, run for the school board, and, work with educators to lobby state governments on the importance of history, political science, and critical thinking in the curriculum.

Citizens should also pay attention to the actions of their elected representatives at the local, state, and federal level.  Votes on all legislation are a matter of public record.  Citizens should learn how to voice opinions on pending legislation through the mechanisms that are now available to anyone with an internet connection.  If the internet is not an option, they should call legislators.  Citizens must make their feeling known then follow up to see how their legislators voted!

In other words more citizens should GET INVOLVED!