In "Democracy Awakening," historian Heather Cox Richardson takes readers on a compelling journey through the complex and often tumultuous history of American democracy. This book offers a big-picture perspective on the current state of US politics, tracing the roots of today's challenges back through the centuries. Richardson's work is both a warning and a call to action, highlighting the ongoing threats to democratic institutions while also offering hope for the future.
Introduction: The Precarious State of American Democracy
American democracy finds itself in a delicate position. While the recent presidency of Donald Trump has undoubtedly played a significant role in undermining faith in the electoral process, the threat of authoritarianism in the United States is not a new phenomenon. In fact, fascist ideas and undemocratic rhetoric have been present in American politics for much of the twentieth century and beyond.
Richardson's book examines this history through three distinct lenses:
- The growth of the threat to democracy throughout the twentieth century
- The intensification of this threat before and after the 2016 election
- A look back at the nation's earliest days to find potential solutions
By exploring these perspectives, Richardson aims to provide readers with a comprehensive understanding of how America arrived at its current political crossroads and what can be done to safeguard democratic values for future generations.
Part I: The Growing Threat in America
The Origins of American Conservatism
To understand the current political landscape, it's essential to examine the roots of American conservatism. This political ideology emerged in the 1930s as a response to President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal policies. An unlikely coalition formed between Republicans and certain factions of the Democratic Party, including southern Democrats who opposed the lack of segregationist programs in the New Deal, and westerners who resisted federal intervention in land and water protection.
The term "conservative" was strategically employed to convey opposition to perceived government overreach and violations of traditional American values, particularly states' rights. However, it's important to note that this usage didn't accurately represent true conservatism but rather served as a convenient label for a specific political stance.
The Rise of Fascist Ideas
In the years surrounding World War I, democracy wasn't universally embraced by all US politicians. Fascism, as presented by Italian leader Benito Mussolini, gained traction as an alternative to socialism. Fascism rejects the equality inherent in democracy, instead promoting a hierarchical system where control is concentrated in the hands of a select few deemed inherently superior.
This ideology influenced leaders like Adolf Hitler in Germany and found supporters among US politicians, particularly in the Democratic coalition that held sway in the American South. However, fascism's popularity waned after the bombing of Pearl Harbor pushed the US into World War II.
The Liberal Consensus and Civil Rights Progress
Following World War II, the "liberal consensus" took hold in America. As nonwhite soldiers returned home from fighting abroad, it became increasingly difficult to maintain segregationist policies. During Harry Truman's presidency, initiatives like the President's Committee on Civil Rights and new legislation promoting equal rights, including Black voting rights, were introduced.
This era of progress, marked by landmark Supreme Court decisions like Brown v. Board of Education, defined much of the 1950s and 1960s. However, these changes were viewed by some as federal overreach and attacks on conservative values. Opponents of the liberal consensus, such as Alabama governor George Wallace, campaigned to revive an American history based on racial hierarchy.
The Rise of Movement Conservatism
In the 1950s, with the help of writers and political theorists like William F. Buckley Jr., opposition to the liberal consensus solidified into Movement Conservatism. This ideology associated Black rights with communism and gained momentum during Richard Nixon's rise to the presidency.
Nixon's "Southern strategy" sought support from disaffected Democrats by promising to halt federal intervention in desegregation. This marked a reversal of the parties' positions on race issues and set the stage for a new, more challenging period for American democracy.
The Nixon Era and the Emergence of Authoritarianism
During Nixon's presidency, an authoritarian streak began to emerge. His campaign strategically polarized voters, portraying Democrats as "detractors of America" and appealing to a false historical narrative rooted in post-Civil War Reconstruction ideals. The Watergate scandal exposed Nixon's undemocratic efforts to interfere with the election process, further eroding faith in democratic institutions.
The Great Compression and Divergence
The period between the 1940s and 1970s is known as "the great compression," characterized by a narrowing of income levels and the creation of a thriving middle class. This era, which began with Roosevelt's New Deal, ended during Ronald Reagan's presidency in the 1980s. What followed is known as "the great divergence," marked by widening income inequality and the erosion of the middle class.
Reagan and the Shift in Political Rhetoric
Reagan's presidency marked a shift in political rhetoric, blending Nixon's divisive strategy with a more relatable image. However, the general public still resisted the ideology of Movement Conservatives during the 1980s and 1990s. In response, these conservatives worked to weaken democratic mechanisms through voter suppression legislation and the appointment of Supreme Court judges who upheld false narratives about America's founding principles.
The Tea Party and Operation REDMAP
Following Barack Obama's election in 2009, the Tea Party emerged as an opposition group focused on returning to a mythological time based on their interpretations of the Founding Fathers' principles. The Republican Party's gerrymandering efforts culminated in Operation REDMAP (Redistricting Majority Project), which redrew district maps to ensure their control of legislatures in key states.
Republican majority leader Mitch McConnell employed a policy of obstructionism, vowing to block President Obama's policies and even refusing to consider his Supreme Court nominee. These actions further eroded faith in the democratic process and set the stage for the tumultuous years to come.
Part II: A Clear and Present Danger
The Rise of Donald Trump
On June 16, 2015, Donald Trump announced his presidential campaign, descending the golden escalator at Trump Tower. His message resonated with a base seeking a hierarchical world dominated by race, gender, and religion. The events surrounding the 2016 election were surprising to both sides of the political divide, while the aftermath of Trump's election marked a significant departure in American history.
The Erosion of Democratic Norms
Despite not aligning with the majority of voters, Trump's agenda signaled a deliberate move to dismantle active government, challenging the very principles on which the nation was built. The concept of "alternative facts" was introduced by Trump's staff, revealing a strategy to dominate through misinformation and destabilize the population.
Russia's interference in the 2016 election raised concerns about the broader implications of authoritarianism undermining American democracy through disinformation. The use of social media amplified the impact, driving wedges between citizens on crucial issues.
The Charlottesville Rally and Its Aftermath
The danger of Trump's divisiveness became evident in the events of August 11, 2017. His anti-immigrant, pro-hierarchical vision of America emboldened right-wing groups to take to the streets of Charlottesville, Virginia. The "Unite the Right" rally brought together racists, neo-Nazis, white nationalists, and members of the KKK. The event culminated in the death of counterprotester Heather Heyer, underscoring the consequences of Trump's rhetoric on societal dynamics.
Rewriting American History
One of the most potent tools in the authoritarian toolbox is the effort to rewrite American history to suit a particular agenda. While both Democrats and Republicans have engaged in historical reframing over the years, Donald Trump's presidency took this practice to unprecedented levels. The State Department's Commission on Unalienable Rights brazenly manipulated history, presenting a vision of white Christian nationalism reminiscent of the pre-Civil War South.
The 2020 Election and the "Big Lie"
In the days leading up to January 6th, 2021, Trump's attempts to delay the election and manipulate the electoral process were unprecedented. The "Stop the Steal" rally, marked by false narratives and a call for strength, set the stage for the attack on the Capitol. This wasn't a spontaneous event but the result of years of feeding false narratives rooted in white supremacy.
Trump continued to perpetuate the "Big Lie" by falsely claiming election fraud. This lie became a rallying point for the Republican Party, leading to the purging of members who stood against it and further eroding the liberal consensus. Voting rights, civil rights, and the very fabric of American democracy continue to be threatened by a political group intent on regaining power at all costs.
Part III: A History That Points to True Democratic Equality
The Paradoxical Nature of America's Founding
To understand the current state of American democracy, it's crucial to examine the nation's founding principles and their inherent contradictions. The Founders championed equality while simultaneously owning enslaved people and considering certain groups as unequal. This paradox has shaped the country's trajectory from its inception.
The Road to Independence
The seeds of American democracy were sown in the aftermath of the Seven Years' War, which ended in 1763. Britain's efforts to tax its American colonies and rule from afar with unpopular declarations led to a revolutionary shift. The Sons of Liberty emerged as catalysts for political change, ultimately culminating in the Declaration of Independence.
From the Articles of Confederation to the Constitution
The newly independent nation first attempted governance under the Articles of Confederation, a document that right-wing activists continue to cite as important. However, this system centered power with the states and quickly led to economic recession and near-dissolution of the young nation.
The US Constitution emerged as a solution, asserting the power of the federal government while deriving its authority from the people. The Founders, wary of authoritarian rule, filled the document with checks and balances to prevent government overreach. The addition of the Bill of Rights served as a critical safeguard against potential abuses of power.
Crucially, the Constitution was designed to be adaptable, allowing for amendments as the nation grew and new issues arose. From the beginning, American democracy was envisioned as a dynamic and ever-changing work in progress.
The Contradiction of Slavery
Despite the Constitution's assertion that all men are created equal, many Founding Fathers were slave owners. This glaring contradiction threatened to destroy the nation. By the 1850s, defenders of human enslavement, though a minority, wielded significant influence, rewriting history to suit their narrative of states' rights and white supremacy.
Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War
Abraham Lincoln recognized the devastating potential of slavery expanding into new Western states, which inspired his run for president. During the Civil War, Lincoln both abolished slavery and expanded federal government powers, reaffirming the nation's commitment to democratic principles.
The Challenges of Reconstruction
Lincoln's assassination and the subsequent Reconstruction era presented new challenges to American democracy. President Johnson's controversial amnesty toward Southern leaders and the treatment of Confederate veterans as heroes allowed a mythological, alternate version of history to take root for future generations.
The Path to a More Democratic Future
Despite these setbacks, the country was on a clear path to a more democratic future in the years that followed. The liberal consensus formed, women gained the right to vote, and new perspectives emerged on education, labor, and the inclusion of marginalized voices. The Progressive Era and the New Deal reduced economic inequality while expanding civil rights.
Reclaiming America's True History
This is the true history of America – a history that can be reclaimed. In 1863, Abraham Lincoln warned that many who claimed to be conservatives were, in fact, dangerous radicals who threatened democracy. He called on everyone to defend equality and reminded them of their right to consent to the government that claims to represent them.
Conclusion: A Call to Action
Heather Cox Richardson's "Democracy Awakening" serves as both a warning and a rallying cry for those who value democratic principles. By tracing the complex history of American democracy, from its paradoxical beginnings to the present day, Richardson illuminates the ongoing struggle between inclusive ideals and historical realities.
The book highlights key moments that have shaped the evolution of American democracy, from the Civil War to the New Deal, and exposes the persistent challenges that have defined the nation's path. Richardson draws attention to the post-Reagan era, when a radical minority succeeded in challenging democratic values and manipulating historical narratives – a phenomenon eerily reminiscent of the years leading up to the Civil War.
However, "Democracy Awakening" is not merely a chronicle of challenges and setbacks. It is also a call to action, echoing Abraham Lincoln's plea for a renewed commitment to democratic ideals and the reclamation of the nation's true history. Richardson argues that by understanding and embracing this history, Americans can work towards a "new birth of freedom" and safeguard democracy for future generations.
The book serves as a reminder that democracy is not a static concept but a living, breathing entity that requires constant nurturing and protection. It challenges readers to engage with their civic responsibilities, to question false narratives, and to actively participate in the ongoing project of American democracy.
As the United States continues to grapple with political polarization, misinformation, and threats to democratic institutions, "Democracy Awakening" offers a timely and crucial perspective. It reminds us that the current challenges, while daunting, are not unprecedented. By learning from the past and recommitting to the core principles of equality and representation, there is hope for overcoming these obstacles and strengthening American democracy for the future.
Ultimately, Richardson's work is a powerful testament to the resilience of democratic ideals and a compelling argument for their continued relevance in the modern world. It challenges readers to look beyond partisan divides and reconnect with the fundamental values that have shaped the American experiment in self-governance. In doing so, "Democracy Awakening" not only educates but also inspires, offering a roadmap for those who wish to play a part in preserving and advancing the cause of democracy in the United States and beyond.