http://nyti.ms/2hVbbr2
Thought this was an interesting final question to consider for the semester given the topic of your democracy papers and the results of the election this fall. The authors of this article argue that he is a threat based on:
1. his promotion of violence during his campaign.
2. statements to jail his political opponent.
3. his questioning of the legitimacy of the popular vote outcome.
The authors also warn of his authoritarian tendencies, attempts to diminish the news media's role by direct communication with voters through twitter. Lastly they raise the question of whether our democracy would survive a conflict. A few questions then:
1. Is Trump really a threat to democracy?
2. Is the bitterness and divisiveness that has emerged in our two party system a threat to democracy?
3. President Obama tried to create a more collaborative culture in Washington DC, but instead politics has become more divided. How can the national political system be improved?
I don't truly believe that Trump is a threat to democracy. Sure, he is intrusive of democracy's traditional guidelines, but I do think he still believe in democracy's purpose and appreciates that, despite the actions we have seen from him this year. While the divisiveness may be worrisome, the difference in opinions actually help cultivate democracy by allowing those opinions to be heard. After all, it is still the people and their perspectives that makes democracy work. In order to fix the political system, we need to listen and stop being hostile against each other. Liberal and conservative ideas are not as different as we think according to psychology, so let's LISTEN and COLLABORATE. This year, both parties have been very mean to each other, and we have been so closed-minded and unwilling about everything. Instead, let's make political discussion a discussion that reaches a compromise and also one that is welcoming and appreciative.
ReplyDeleteI believe that he is a threat to this democracy but will all these threats be accomplished? I do not think so. Not unless the rest of the government goes along with him. I do not believe that it is a threat to our democracy because I believe that the hate has always been there, its just that now it has become more known. I do not believe that it can be fixed. Everyone is going to have a different opinion or view on something so you cannot really change that.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Ricardo; he is a threat but the threats can't be accomplished when the government doesn't support him. The bitterness has always existed in our system, but it will not be a threat to democracy because our nation is built on the constitution and human rights. I'm not really sure on how the national political system can be improved, it just takes the right people and their decisions to make the political system great.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Trump is a threat to democracy due to his childish nature and his tendency to lash out irresponsibly. He has surrounded himself with people of the same, if not stronger mindsets regarding immigration, money, school, etc. Therefore, his threats will most likely be taken into action. On the other hand, America has shown the pattern of two steps forward and one step back which leads me to believe that after having two terms with a progressive president, this is our step back.
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ReplyDeleteI think he is a threat to democracy because he doesn't believe in it and will violate people's rights, like how he did for people that worked for him and I do not think there is no way out situtation can be improve if he is presidnt.
ReplyDeleteI agree with elizabeth. Donald Trump will be a threat to democracy especially because he believes the total opposite of what democracy believes.
ReplyDeleteI think he might be a problem for democracy, since he thinks his beliefs are right.
ReplyDeleteI don't think Trump will be a problem for democracy because we've never really had democracy.
ReplyDeleteI do think Trump will be a problem for democracy because of how childish he is, hopefully it will all work out in the end.
ReplyDeleteI believe Trump has no clue what he says or does he know anything at all about being President. The success of the presidency over the next term is going to be based on how well whoever higher up can puppet him.
ReplyDeleteAs for the threat to democracy, I believe as of 2017 the two party system is outdated, and the election was more of a fistfight between the candidates rather than actual discussion. We learned very little about true positions from the candidate, but was shown plenty of drama instead.
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