In recent years, nearly everything—from voting laws to social media—has been labeled a “threat to democracy,” leaving citizens wondering if there’s anything left that doesn’t spell the downfall of our republic.
In recent years, nearly everything—from voting laws to social media—has been labeled a “threat to democracy,” leaving citizens wondering if there’s anything left that doesn’t spell the downfall of our republic.
By: Your Democracy Reporter
It seems we can’t go a single news cycle without hearing about something new that’s been branded as a “threat to democracy.” Whether it’s a politician, policy, protest, or even a technological advancement, there’s no shortage of doom-laden declarations these days. So, in the interest of keeping track of the many, many threats to our fragile democracy, here’s a handy roundup of all the things currently being blamed for its imminent collapse.
Depending on which side of the aisle you’re on, voter ID laws are either the last stand of election integrity or a blatant attempt at voter suppression. Conversely, the expansion of mail-in voting has been heralded as a victory for participation by some and a gateway to voter fraud by others. Somehow, both sides agree that whatever version of voting exists that they don’t like is, of course, a threat to democracy.
The spread of fake news is arguably the top offender in the “democracy destroyer” sweepstakes. Whether it’s conspiracy theories on social media, deepfakes, or just good old-fashioned lying, disinformation is often called the greatest threat to democracy since, well, the last greatest threat. From QAnon to Russian bots, from climate denial to flat-earthers, if you believe something factually incorrect, you might as well be single-handedly tearing down the Constitution with your bare hands.
Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and other social media platforms have also been charged with being democracy’s grim reapers. Their algorithms, which allegedly prioritize outrage and division, are accused of poisoning public discourse. Meanwhile, some believe these platforms censor too much (a threat to free speech and, therefore, democracy), while others believe they don’t censor enough (a threat to truth and, therefore, democracy). Basically, Elon Musk is both allowing too much speech and not enough, depending on whom you ask.
If you’ve been “canceled” lately, congratulations: you’re apparently involved in undermining the very foundation of our free society. Critics argue that cancel culture, where public figures are “canceled” for past or present transgressions (real or perceived), is a mob-like attack on free expression. The idea is that if everyone is afraid of being canceled, no one will speak their mind, and boom, democracy dissolves like a sugar cube in a conspiracy theorist’s coffee.
Ah, the Electoral College—everyone’s favorite outdated institution. Critics argue that it distorts the will of the people by making a few swing states more powerful than the collective population of New York and California. For the majority who live in states that consistently vote red or blue, the feeling of irrelevance is palpable. The end result? According to many pundits, the Electoral College is undermining true democratic representation and should be scrapped, stat.
If democracy had a nemesis, it might just be gerrymandering. Both Democrats and Republicans have mastered the art of redrawing electoral districts to make sure their side wins, ensuring that a politician can stay in power regardless of how the people vote. Gerrymandering is the unsung hero of rigged elections everywhere and, depending on whose map you’re looking at, it could be democracy’s undoing.
Democracy requires an informed electorate, and according to many, the mainstream media—whether it’s too liberal or too conservative—is preventing that. Right-wing outlets are accused of peddling misinformation, while left-wing media gets blasted for ideological bias. Either way, someone’s always crying foul, insisting that the media is failing democracy.
For some, nothing screams “existential threat” like climate change. The argument is simple: if our leaders ignore or downplay climate change, they’re endangering the future of humanity, which means they’re undermining the foundation upon which our democracy is built. After all, if the planet is on fire, how can we focus on civil liberties? On the flip side, if the government takes too aggressive a stance on climate regulation, it’s accused of eroding personal freedoms. Either way, democracy’s in danger.
The decisions made by the Supreme Court can also send people into democracy-related panic attacks. Whether it’s on issues like abortion, affirmative action, or campaign finance laws, recent rulings have sparked widespread outcries from those who believe that an unelected body of nine individuals has too much power over the democratic process. Depending on the ruling, it’s either “saving” or “destroying” democracy. No middle ground here.
The man, the myth, the ever-present threat. For many, Trump is the ultimate, ongoing threat to democracy. Whether it’s his efforts to question the legitimacy of the 2020 election, his role in the January 6 Capitol riot, or his general disdain for norms, Trump has been crowned the king of democratic destruction. But even among his staunchest supporters, there’s a twist: the way he’s being treated (indictments, impeachments, etc.) is also seen as a threat to democracy, proving once again that Trump’s existence is a double-edged sword in the fragile game of governance.
Artificial intelligence is poised to take the “threat to democracy” title to an entirely new level. From concerns about deepfakes manipulating public opinion, to AI-generated political content, and even fears that advanced AI could one day control everything, AI’s shadow looms large over the democratic landscape. Some warn that, if left unchecked, algorithms could steer elections, or worse, replace human decision-making altogether. Imagine your next congressman being a chatbot!
Whether it’s a peaceful march for civil rights or a chaotic storming of the Capitol, protests are increasingly viewed as threats to democracy—depending on who’s protesting, of course. Some see protests as essential to democratic expression, while others argue that when protests turn violent or disruptive, they become undemocratic. In 2020, protests were framed as a democratic necessity, but by January 2021, certain protests were suddenly democracy’s downfall. Context, as always, is key.
Refusing to accept the outcome of an election? That’s been labeled a huge threat to democracy, especially in recent years. Election denial has gone mainstream in American politics, with some candidates refusing to concede and others casting doubt on voting processes. When politicians refuse to acknowledge the results, the basic premise of democracy—that the people’s vote decides—falls apart, which is why election denial has been cast as democracy’s archvillain.
In 2024, democracy appears to be in peril from every possible angle. From the voting booth to the Supreme Court, from social media algorithms to protests in the streets, just about everything is being framed as the final nail in the coffin of our republic. With such an overwhelming avalanche of existential threats, it’s hard to believe democracy has survived this long.
But take heart: as history shows, democracy is resilient. It’s withstood plagues, world wars, and even worse political arguments. So, while democracy may be teetering on the edge (or already dead, depending on your news source), it’s proven to be annoyingly difficult to kill off entirely.
At least for now.
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