Hope from Self-Correction

 There’s a lot of criticism of our American form of government right now. It seems the inability of government to work together, party animosity, etc. Some see the result as trying to either try a different system – Democratic Socialism (which is just Socialism renamed to sound more palatable) or the Libertarian goal - eliminate government substantially or almost altogether.

Libertarian's are just socialists who don't get along with others. Both rely on an optimism that relies on ignorance of human behavior. In practice, they are just as destructive to individual liberty as pure democracy. They always result in some form of mobocracy. All are forms of anarchist structures where no one is really in charge – or has official power. This would be fine, provided no one would choose to seek power over others. If all people would eschew self-interest, these forms of government would be far superior. But human nature does not support this. Self-interest not only exists but is an inescapable part of humanity. We know that no matter how good humans can and will be towards each other, there will always be those that try to gain advantage over others. The power vacuum in anarchist systems allows individuals who are willing to take advantage of that vacuum by pooling resources with like minded villains (even if those villains believe they are doing “good” for society). That’s why every attempt at socialism has failed in real-life applications.

The real strength of the American democratic republic system is that it tries to balance both democracy and individual liberty, and protect the minority. It provides the voice of democracy, while also providing a voice to local minorities. Alexis de Tocqueville described it as “self-interest well understood.”

The separation of powers along with the electoral college are crucial. But like other systems, it relies on people willing to maintain it. The importance of clear and accurate education on the ideas, with a foundation of critical thought is key.

Every system fails. The American Republic was designed to provide a measure of self-correction that does not exist in others. So while other systems are doomed to failure, the American system has the potential to live on, even when self-interest seems so pervasive that there’s no way people can come together. It is the system itself, with it’s ability to self-correct that provides hope for a nation to continue even while it seems impossible.