What do I mean by this? The idea that a government has a soul may seem nebulous and intangible, but I believe it is very real. It has to do with how the citizens view themselves, and their society, and how they relate to their government – and vice versa. It is something that resides in each one of us; it is a shared state of mind.
An authoritarian regime depends on a tribal, emotional bond between the leader and the citizenry, along with (typically) the use of coercion to suppress disloyalty, dissent, and public protests. Hitler was the glue that held the Third Reich together, and terror and violent repression (and his profligate use of what he called “the big lie”) were his primary governing tools. Donald Trump has a similar charismatic appeal for his devoted followers and the same coercive and punitive instincts toward anyone who opposes him, along with the wanton use of disinformation.
A healthy democracy, in contrast, fosters a sense of community and a concern for the common good. We are “all in this together,” to use the time-honored slogan. There is a deep sense of political equality (“one person, one vote”), while the leaders are viewed as “public servants,” not the masters. The truth also matters. Differences of opinions and interests are tolerated. There is also an implicit social contract between the citizens. In return for the benefits of living in a democracy, everyone must abide by its laws and must accept a mutual obligation to care for those among us who are in genuine need. Fairness and social justice are widely shared values.
In a democracy, heroism represents sacrifices made for all of us collectively, while treason is a collective betrayal. In an authoritarian state, in contrast, they are viewed as acts done for (or against) the supreme leader. (Thus, in the recent Congressional impeachment of Donald Trump, Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman was viewed as a hero by some of us and as a traitor by others.)
As Joe Biden has been saying, the soul of our democracy is sick. It has been undermined in various ways in recent years. (It did not begin with Donald Trump, but that’s a long story.) However, just like our dysfunctional democratic institutions, the soul of our democracy can also be revitalized and re-energized. This, in considerable part, is what is at stake in this election.
About Peter Corning
Peter Corning is currently director of the Institute for the Study of Complex Systems in Seattle, Washington. He was a one-time science writer at Newsweek and a professor for many years in the Human Biology Program at Stanford University, along with holding a research appointment in Stanford’s Behavior Genetics Laboratory. From 2004 to 2017 he was also the co-owner of Synergy Farm on San Juan Island, WA. In addition to some 200 professional papers and media articles, he has published seven previous books, including The Fair Society: The Science of Human Nature and the Pursuit of Social Justice (University of Chicago Press, 2011), and Synergistic Selection: How Cooperation Has Shaped Evolution and the Rise of Humankind (World Scientific 2018).
A number of short essays elaborating on the topic of Democracy are posted on his blog. Below are a few of the titles.
His blog can be found at
A democratic system can survive only if it is embedded in a society that allows it to thrive.
Donald Trump has been following the time-tested playbook. The outcome depends on us.
The Coronavirus and the “Common Good”
The coronavirus is a “common bad.” It reminds us that there are positive alternatives.
Western Democracy Versus the “Chinese Model”: Does it Matter?
The bottom-line test for any government is procuring the “common good.” China has excelled at it. The enduring problem, as Plato warned, is how to control the controllers.
“Feedback”: It’s the Only Way to
“Feedback” is a hugely important phenomenon. It plays a key role in all goal-oriented,
dynamic systems, from living organisms to self-driving cars. And in our politics.
Hitler Only Wanted to Make Germany Great Again: When Will We Learn?
The similarities are eerie. The differences are also significant. There is much we can learn.
Lies, Damned Lies… and Political Lies
Political lies undermine the connection between the electorate and the actions of their leaders, and the ability of the citizens to exercise control
over them.