The Dying Citizen

“Can a nation survive when its middle class is eroded, its Constitution under siege, and its democracy challenged by tribalism and misplaced global loyalties?”

1. Why the Middle Class is Essential for Democracy

Historically, the middle class has been the backbone of democracy. In ancient Greece, philosophers like Aristotle saw the middle class as a stabilizing force in society. Unlike the rich, who were driven by greed, or the poor, who could be manipulated by demagogues, the middle class valued hard work and had a vested interest in political stability and fairness.

Today, the middle class continues to play a similar role. By owning property, accumulating resources, and having the time and capacity for civic engagement, they drive democratic ideals forward. This group often fights against authoritarianism and advocates for the rule of law and economic opportunities for future generations.

However, modern trends in the United States show a troubling decline in the middle class. Nearly half of the population now lives paycheck to paycheck, unable to achieve financial security or home ownership. This erosion of the middle class is not only an economic issue but a threat to the stability of democracy itself.

Examples

• Ancient Greek middle-class landowners maintained democracy by focusing on equity, not self-interest.
• Half of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, exemplifying the shift toward economic instability.
• At Stanford University, nearby streets reveal stark contrasts between the wealthy and growing impoverished population.

2. America’s Fractured Collective Identity

America has long been a melting pot where immigrants integrated into a shared national identity. Historically, those who arrived adapted to American customs, embraced English, and found unity in shared values outlined in the Declaration of Independence and Constitution.

In the past, immigrants were encouraged to adopt some level of Americanization to ensure cultural cohesion and avoid the fragmentation seen in Europe from ethnic conflicts. The shared goal of becoming “American” helped unite individuals from diverse backgrounds into a single democratic nation.

However, illegal immigration today poses a challenge to this collective identity. With nearly 20 million undocumented immigrants in the US, many resist assimilation, opting instead for cultural and linguistic isolation. This strain threatens the societal glue that held America together for centuries.

Examples

• Immigrants in the 19th century quickly adopted American customs and languages to integrate.
• The founders of the United States feared internal conflict from cultural fragmentation.
• The rise in illegal immigration has created a new population resistant to assimilation.

3. The Unelected Power of the Deep State

American democracy rests on the idea that elected officials determine policies. Surprisingly, many critical decisions are made by unelected bureaucrats and organizations widely referred to as the “deep state,” which wields considerable influence.

The deep state comprises agencies, regulatory bodies, and elite institutions that shape policy and public opinion without voter approval. These include intelligence agencies, universities, and parts of the media. The actions of bureaucracies like the IRS have, on occasion, demonstrated political biases that undermine democratic fairness.

For example, between 2010 and 2013, the IRS unfairly targeted conservative organizations seeking tax exemptions, effectively muting their political influence. Despite public outrage, accountability was minimal, revealing the unchecked power of unelected individuals and institutions.

Examples

• The IRS improperly denied tax exemptions to conservative nonprofits between 2010 and 2013.
• Unelected agencies enforce over 175,000 federal rules, bypassing voter input.
• The deep state influences both elite education and major media narratives.

4. The Dangerous Return of Tribalism

In earlier eras, people identified with tribes based on race, religion, or ethnicity, leading to conflicts, discrimination, and even genocides. Modern democracies rose as nations moved beyond tribalism to focus on universal values and individual merit.

Today, tribalism is resurging in the United States. This division is being encouraged by progressive ideologies that promote education and housing policies organized around racial and ethnic identities. By focusing on group identity, society has veered away from principles like equal treatment and character-based evaluation.

The consequences of tribalism are grim. Historically, tribalism fueled segregation in the Jim Crow South, Holocaust atrocities in Nazi Germany, and ethnic conflicts in the Balkans. Returning to this framework erodes decades of hard-fought progress for civil rights.

Examples

• Universities now encourage segregated housing and studies focused on specific ethnic groups.
• The Jim Crow era illustrates the social divides tribalism creates.
• Balkan genocides showcase the violence tribalism can incite.

5. Progressives and the Assault on the Constitution

The US Constitution was designed to guarantee individual freedoms, property rights, and fair governance. Critics argue it limits efforts to implement policies that prioritize equality of outcomes, such as income redistribution and stricter climate laws.

Progressive activists have voiced dissatisfaction with the Constitution for not aligning with their egalitarian goals. Some want to replace it to empower centralized authorities and enforce broader societal changes. This perspective dismisses the wisdom embedded in the Constitution by the founders.

This attack on the Constitution reflects a deeper ideological split. Progressives aim to transform America from offering equality of opportunity to equality of outcomes. Such changes threaten the meritocratic ideals upon which the United States was built.

Examples

• Some critics dismiss the relevance of the founders due to their background as "dead white men."
• Efforts to push for equality of outcomes undermine equality of opportunity.
• Climate-related policies enforced without Congressional approval undermine constitutional democracy.

6. Globalization’s Impact on American Stability

Globalization encourages nations to prioritize international considerations over domestic interests. While it offers some benefits, it has notably strained the American economy and weakened political institutions.

For example, companies relocating production overseas reduce job opportunities for American workers, creating economic insecurity. When wealthy Americans invest in authoritarian regimes like China, it fosters dependence on countries with conflicting values. Additionally, global climate agreements bypass democratic processes, undermining voter influence.

These trends reveal a stark reality: globalization often benefits foreign entities at the expense of America's middle class, political integrity, and core values. Without appropriate checks, globalization weakens American sovereignty and self-determination.

Examples

• American factories moving abroad leave domestic workers unemployed.
• Billionaire investments in Chinese markets discourage criticism of China’s anti-democratic policies.
• Global climate accords bypass US Congressional oversight.

7. The Middle Class and Progressive Policies

Economic policies pursued by progressives, such as high taxes on the wealthy and extensive social programs, can unintentionally harm the middle class. Many of these initiatives redistribute wealth in ways that devalue hard work and entrepreneurship.

Economies driven by innovation rely on the middle class to serve as consumers, entrepreneurs, and workers. By erasing the differences between effort and reward, these policies undermine growth and create greater societal divisions between classes.

Recreating conditions for a thriving middle class will require a reimagined balance between wealth redistribution and the protection of incentives for economic participation.

Examples

• Social programs funded by higher taxes discourage middle-class entrepreneurship.
• Wealth gaps are exacerbated when robust job opportunities disappear.
• Thriving middle-class societies have historically driven economic innovation.

8. Illegal Immigration and the Rule of Law

Unchecked illegal immigration creates practical and cultural challenges. While legal immigration supports assimilation and unity, illegal arrivals destabilize communities and strain public services.

The rise in illegal immigration has made integration less likely, with many undocumented individuals avoiding the pathways to citizenship. This lack of assimilation fosters social fragmentation, undermining the cultural unity foundational to a single, cohesive nation-state.

Returning to a system rooted in lawful, controlled immigration would help restore cultural cohesion while respecting international migrants' contributions.

Examples

• Legal immigrants of the 20th century transformed into unified citizens within generations.
• Social issues arise when residential neighborhoods remain linguistically and culturally segregated.
• Citizenship provides the shared foundation for education and civic life.

9. Globalism Versus Nationalism

The push for global citizenship often contradicts the needs of individual nations. While world harmony is an attractive idea, ignoring national differences often sparks new tensions.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted these conflicts. Governments like China pursued policies that were secretive and autocratic, revealing stark differences in values. America’s entanglement with globalism sometimes weakens its ability to confront such challenges effectively.

Balancing global engagement with national interests must prioritize maintaining strong, democratic institutions at home.

Examples

• The Chinese government downplayed COVID-19’s severity, disregarding global well-being.
• Investments in foreign nations stoke frustration within neglected American communities.
• Global organizations fail to enforce consistent standards among nations.

Takeaways

1. Advocate for policies that strengthen the middle class and create opportunities for upward mobility.
2. Support constructive immigration reform that addresses cultural and legal challenges while valuing integration.
3. Promote democratic engagement to counterbalance the influences of unelected bureaucracies and globalization.