Our republic is under stress. So much so that if you’re not worried about the country’s future, you probably haven’t been paying attention.
What makes me say this? Our public discourse has become uncivil and shrill. Corruption and unethical actions by prominent politicians headline the news. Too many politicians make their mark by fueling division, exploiting frustration and casting doubt on our democratic institutions. And too many Americans respond by agreeing with them.
So it’s not surprising that many Americans have tuned out. They understand our republic only vaguely and participate in it less. We appear to be caught in a dangerous downward cycle: Politics and government are seen as dysfunctional and corrupt, which causes the ablest people to stay out of politics and government, which in turn corrodes politics and government.
The risk in all this is that as Americans disengage, we place our entire democratic enterprise in jeopardy. So what do we do?
What we need most of all is for our citizens – that’s you and me – to appreciate this democracy we’ve inherited and to step up to the responsibilities it asks of us.
Despite its many challenges, our republic is a monumental achievement based on strong, independent branches of government entrusted to exercise limited and defined powers within the bounds of a magnificent Constitution.
But we can only take advantage of its strength when we act as though we’re all in this republic together – to secure a country where all people have the opportunity to enjoy the promise of America by living a life of honor, excellence and responsibility.
Democracy places demanding responsibilities on its citizens: casting an informed vote; engaging in the dialogue of democracy with civility and a willingness to learn; making discriminating judgments; working with others to strengthen our institutions and our own little corner of the world.
We can turn the republic around by accepting these responsibilities. If we don’t, we’re truly sunk.
Lee Hamilton is a senior adviser for the Indiana University Center on Representative Government and a former Democratic congressman.