Democracy Through The Ages
Democracy Through The Ages
Spoiler Alert: Its Foundation Hasn’t Changed
The ancient Greek philosopher Dionysius has a warning for us today that was likely well known by our Founding Founders when they gathered to form the guiding principles of a new nation: “The shortest way to ruin a country is to give power to demagogues.” [Demagogue: a political leader who seeks support by appealing to the desires and prejudices of ordinary people rather than by using rational argument.] The chosen weapon of the demagogue is to arouse people by appealing to their basic vulnerabilities, playing on fear and emotions rather than applying the moderation of reason. This has caused the ruination of many a democracy throughout history. And that’s precisely why it’s crucial for us to see people for who they really are underneath the rhetoric and politics.
Character matters: This is the uniting theme of leadership throughout history as well as its most important lesson. Leadership has shaped the world far more than any battle, invention, or discovery. The desire for glory, for power, to change the world or to own it may indeed be human pursuits, but they are all too fraught with danger and abuse.
The presumptive 2024 Republican Party nominee for the presidency was the first American President to refuse to commit to a peaceful transfer of power, and then incited a violent insurrection in a desperate attempt to change the course of history. Now he has earned a brand-new title as the first ex-president to become a convicted felon.
Someone desiring greatness for himself will always do so by promising greatness for his people. The Founders were students of history, and they understood its lessons deeply. They pored over the past to understand the present, and to prepare for the future. They heeded the cautionary tales that ancient history provided them. Democracy derives its power from adherence to the rule of law. Anything less is bound to sink the ship of state.
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