We hear a lot about supposed threats to democracy.
Let’s dig deeper at the real threats to America and democracy, and what conditions and beliefs that best enable a free and prosperous society.
Lindsey Jennings of the Institute for Humane Societies (I.H.S.) at George Mason University states that “promoting individual liberty, equality before the law, free enterprise and voluntary cooperation are values that provide for human flourishing. It’s essential to create an intellectually free, open and tolerant environment where these principles can thrive.”
Freedom and prosperity truly depend on the open exchange of ideas.
Aurelian Craitu, a scholar-partner at IHS for 30 years and a refugee from communist Romania, states, “Our country is grappling with a surge of intolerance and division that floods every aspect of society: politics, education, entertainment, news, social media, work and even our interaction with family and friends.”
Craitu noted, “My family lived under the tyranny of a communist regime and the climate created by naked authoritarianism: distrust, fear, suspicion and the inability to cooperate with others.
“We looked to America, where I saw a society built on principles like individual liberty, constrained government and respect for the inherent dignity of all people.”
Yet the ideals that Craitu admires are under assault at many of our leading institutions.
Jennings stresses that “universities are meant to serve as the cornerstone for the ideas of a free, flourishing and innovative society. Yet just when we need those vitally important institutions the most, they fail us. American higher education has largely abandoned the liberal enterprise of discovery in favor of illiberal activism.”
Caitu adds “Across university campuses today, we observe a growing atmosphere of distrust, fear and suspicion – reminiscent of the environment of control that I once escaped. Instead of fostering healthy discourse and respectful exchange, intellectual debates often deteriorate into shallow confrontations marked by personal attacks.”
Universities reduce true freedom of expression through speech codes that limit the respectful exchange of ideas as opposed to promoting the pursuit of higher learning.
But such an environment is not limited to campuses; all one needs to do is spend any amount of time on social media to see that shallowness and slanderous personal attacks are alive and well right here in our beloved Boerne.
It’s worth noting the ideological divide of invited speakers at college commencements. According to surveys conducted by the Young Americas Foundation, over the past decade approximately 90 percent of commencement speakers at America’s top 100 schools are considered left of center. How does this equate with a supposed desire for free exchange of diverse ideas and viewpoints?
A 2023 survey conducted of almost 1,500 university professors by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression reveals that faculty members are far more likely to describe themselves as liberal vs. Conservative.
The same study reveals that conservative faculty members fear that expressing their beliefs would result in consequences to their employment; they choose to remain silent for fear of retribution.
Such inequity extends to American journalism. The Center for Public Integrity examined donations made by journalists during the 2016 presidential primaries and general election.
More than 96 percent of donations went to Democrats. This is consistent with studies conducted in prior years by the Media Research Center.
On a federal level, we have seen an administrative state greatly expand regulatory dictates, while agencies such as the IRS and Justice Department target those groups or individuals seen as political enemies. Where is the accountability for this abuse of power? How is this democratic?
Limitations of free speech, the lack of civil and respectful discourse, bias and the abuse of power are the real threats to democracy.
It is up to all Americans to respect our nation’s traditions and founding principles. It starts in the home, with parents teaching their children to love America, regardless of the imperfections we have had as a nation in the present or past.
This must be supported and taught in our schools, too; we do that here in Boerne. This is how we will remain the shining city on the hill and the beacon of hope and freedom for future generations.
Rich Sena, Boerne ISD trustee, is a Kendall County Republican.
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