Fitness to serve

NGWS, US Politics 8 Minutes

Fitness to Serve as an Elected Official in a Democracy

Democracy defined

Democracy, as we know it, is a system of governance where the power belongs to the people, who exercise it directly or through elected representatives. It is a system that is recognized globally as a fair and just way to govern, and it allows citizens to have a voice in the decisions that affect their lives. However, the success of the democratic system depends on the fitness of those who hold positions of power. In this blog post, we will consider the fitness of individuals to serve as elected officials in a democracy and address criteria for disqualification.

In mature democracies, the public opinion is well informed, engaged, and enlightened. People are interested in political issues and know their rights and responsibilities as citizens. In contrast, immature democracies are characterized by self-interest, driven mostly by economic concerns. This creates the danger of demagogues who can manipulate the public through false promises and questionable actions, such as the right to misinform and to incite political violence as “protected speech” under the Constitution.

Determining whether a democracy is mature involves a multi-dimensional analysis that goes beyond the age of the democratic system. Some additional criteria that can be considered:

  1. Stable Institutions: Mature democracies have strong and stable institutions that uphold the rule of law. This includes an independent judiciary, a free and fair electoral system, and effective legislative and executive branches.
  2. Political Culture: In mature democracies, there is typically a culture of political participation and engagement. Citizens are informed about and participate in politics, respect democratic norms, and value civil liberties.
  3. Civil Society: A vibrant civil society, including NGOs, interest groups, and media, is another sign of a mature democracy. These entities play a vital role in holding the government accountable, promoting political participation, and disseminating information.
  4. Respect for Human Rights: Respect for fundamental human rights, including freedom of speech, assembly, and religion, is a hallmark of mature democracies.
  5. Political Pluralism: Mature democracies allow for a diversity of political opinions and parties, facilitating a healthy competition of ideas.
  6. Economic Development: While not a prerequisite, many mature democracies also have high levels of economic development and relatively low levels of corruption.

As for measuring these dimensions, several indices and organizations provide such data. For example, Freedom House’s Freedom in the World report assesses the state of political rights and civil liberties in countries. The Economist Intelligence Unit’s Democracy Index provides a snapshot of the state of democracy worldwide. Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index measures perceived levels of public sector corruption.

Furthermore, surveys and public opinion polls can provide insights into citizens’ political knowledge and engagement. For instance, the World Values Survey explores people’s values and beliefs, including their attitudes towards democracy.

Recent surveys have shed light on the perceptions of Americans regarding the health of their democracy.

  • According to a poll conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, only 16% of Americans believe democracy is working well in the country. This statistic indicates a significant level of dissatisfaction and pessimism about the state of democracy in the United States.
  • Polarization is a major concern, as highlighted by a report from the Carnegie Endowment. The philanthropic world is grappling with debates about how to address this issue. Polarization can lead to political violence, undermining the stability of democratic institutions.
  • Trust in government is another metric to consider. A YouGov poll revealed that a large share of Americans (21%) are “extremely dissatisfied” with how democracy is operating, indicating a low level of trust in the government.
  • Voter turnout is a critical measure of a healthy democracy. Historically, U.S. voter turnout has lagged behind other developed democracies. Efforts to increase voter participation could be a sign of a maturing democracy; voter suppression efforts have increased.
  • Respect for the constitution and its laws by officeholders is a fundamental aspect of a mature democracy. The rule of law and adherence to the constitution are implicit in the functioning of American democracy. A poll published by The Hill found that only 44 percent of Republican-aligned voters expressed serious concern with the recent charges and indictments against former President Trump.
  • A Pew study also found that 46% of those aged 18 to 29 in the U.S. would prefer to be governed by experts, indicating a potential shift in attitudes towards democratic governance.
  • Lastly, misinformation is seen as a significant threat to democracy. An NPR survey found that 64% of the American population believes that U.S. democracy is in crisis due to misinformation.

Sources:

These surveys highlight some of the challenges facing American democracy and underscore the importance of continued efforts to strengthen democratic practices and institutions. Although American democracy has been a stable democracy for more than two centuries, its current maturity is questionable, showing dangerous signs of regression to immature levels.

Indeed, some analysts and scholars have expressed concerns about the health of American democracy in recent years. Here are some of the key issues that have been raised:

  1. Polarization: The United States has seen a significant increase in political polarization, which is reflected both in Congress and among the public. This has led to gridlock, a lack of bipartisan cooperation, and an increase in hostility between opposing political parties.
  2. Erosion of Democratic Norms: There has been a notable erosion of democratic norms, such as respect for the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary, and the peaceful transition of power. These norms are vital for the functioning of a healthy democracy.
  3. Voter Suppression: As will be addressed later in this blog post, there have been numerous attempts at voter suppression, from restrictive voter ID laws to gerrymandering. These efforts can undermine the principle of equal representation.
  4. Disinformation: The rise of social media has led to an explosion of disinformation, which can undermine public trust in democratic institutions and processes.
  5. Populism: The rise of populism, often characterized by a rejection of established political elites and institutions, can also pose challenges to democratic stability.

True Democracy is as yet unknown; it awaits the time when an educated and enlightened public opinion will bring it to power; towards that spiritual event, mankind is hastening. The battle of Democracy will be fought out in the United States. There the people at present vote and organize their government on a personality basis and not from any spiritual or intelligent conviction. There is a material, selfish aspect to Democracy (rampant today), and there is a spiritual aspect, little sought after; there are material and spiritual aspects to Communism, but its adherents know them not, and only a ruthless materialism is conveyed to them. There is again the ideology of Socialism which is regarded [Page 747] by some as a basic evil. Socialism can degenerate into another form of totalitarianism, or it can be more democratic than the present expressions of Democracy.

The Crisis of the Ideologies in The Rays and the Initiations by Alice A. Bailey (written in 1949)

Fitness to serve

To ensure that unfit individuals do not hold positions of power in mature democracies, there are certain criteria for disqualification. For example, those with a criminal record or a history of corruption should be barred from running for office. The same applies to anyone who has been involved in human rights abuses, discrimination, or any activities that could undermine the democratic process.

Another critical element in determining the fitness of an individual to hold public office is their political and moral character. Individuals who hold public office must be honest, trustworthy, and transparent in their actions and decision-making. They must have strong morals and ethics that align with the values of the community that they represent.

Finally, the fitness of an individual to hold public office should also consider their physical and mental health. In this regard, individuals who have chronic illnesses or any medical conditions that could impair their judgment or ability to carry out their duties should not be allowed to run for office.

Conclusion

Democracy is a system of governance that relies heavily on the people in power. As such, it is essential to ensure that individuals who hold positions of power are fit and capable of carrying out their duties. In this blog post, we have considered the criteria for disqualification and the health of democracy in the United States. We have also explored key issues such as political and moral character, physical and mental health, and the danger of demagogues. The public must understand and adhere to these criteria for disqualification to ensure that the democratic system remains robust and continues to meet the needs of the people.

POSTSCRIPT

Voter suppression refers to any legal or extralegal measure or strategy whose purpose or effect is to reduce voting or registering to vote by members of a targeted racial group, political party, or religious community. For instance,

  1. Strict Voter ID Laws: Some states have imposed strict voter ID laws that disproportionately affect minority, elderly, and low-income groups who often have difficulty obtaining identification.
  2. Cutting Voting Times: Reducing the hours during which polling places are open, especially in minority neighborhoods, can make it harder for individuals who work multiple jobs or can’t take time off from work to vote.
  3. Restrictions on Early Voting: Early voting allows citizens to cast ballots in person on a single day or over a range of days prior to an election. Restrictions or cuts to early voting can significantly impact voters with inflexible working hours or those unable to vote on election day.
  4. Mass Purges of Voter Rolls: In some cases, voters can be removed from rolls without their knowledge, often due to inaccuracies or errors. This can lead to individuals being unable to vote when they show up at the polls.
  5. Obstacles to Voting by Mail: In 2021, new laws were introduced in several states that imposed restrictions on voting by mail, a method that was used heavily during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  6. Laws Hampering Voter Registration: Certain laws make it harder for citizens to register to vote, such as requiring proof of citizenship.

Sources:

Gerrymandering is another voter suppression measure. It refers to the manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor one political party, often resulting in distorted electoral results and a lack of competition. This practice can significantly impact minority voting power and undermine the principle of “one person, one vote.”

Gerrymandering as a form of voter suppression:

  1. Partisan Gerrymandering: This involves drawing district lines to favor one political party over another. It can result in “safe” districts where the outcome is virtually guaranteed, thereby reducing the incentive for people to vote if they feel their vote won’t make a difference.
  2. Racial Gerrymandering: This involves drawing district lines to dilute the voting power of racial or ethnic minorities. This can be done by “packing” minority voters into a single district or “cracking” them across multiple districts so their influence is spread thin.

The effects of gerrymandering can be long-lasting and contribute to public cynicism about the democratic process. Efforts to combat gerrymandering include advocacy for independent redistricting commissions and legal challenges to gerrymandered maps.

The Gerry Mander

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:The_Gerry-Mander_Edit.png

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Published by Jose Becerra

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