The Gaping Hole in our Present Democracy

Many, I believe, have written about this. It is one of those "problems" that, too often get mentioned and then, in the absence of any good suggestions for resolution, get put aside. Many of us in these middle years of the 21st century recognize that we have less agency than we were taught we should have. By agency, I mean the ability to affect events, to contribute to social and political change. Social scientists call it efficacy. Many refer to it as citizenship. As a core part of the definition of democracy, we learn it very early in our lives. Subsequently, while we may pay lip service to it—snort and bellow about how the schools are not teaching citizenship—we don't show much commitment to the idea in our lives. I could write a few pages about why this may be the case. (I almost took off in that direction as the old habits of teaching political science never die.) Better, I think, to discuss some practical ideas about how, in this age, we can in fact be agents of change. First, get it into our heads that I, my friends, those I influence, my fellow Americans, don't pull the levers of change. The image is more a rope tug or a bucket brigade. We each can (should) take our turn at the oar. Second, be an example to others when it comes to being "out of the closet" as a thinking person, knowledgeable, a reader, and someone who actually cares about the future, the next generation and the world. Third, work to make your neighborhood, your community, and, yes, your country a better example to others. It is not by guns and threats the United States will have a lasting influence in the world. It will only be because others see us as a tolerant, compassionate, and prosperous society. A place with a great education and health systems. A country with true equality of opportunity and quality of life for all. Fourth, accept the fact, hard as this might be to grasp, that private for-profit economic transactions and charitable contributions, however valuable these are, simply won't "lift the whole load." The whole community must commit some of its wealth to social progress. It's called by economists, government action to create public goods and services. And then vote not for the Party of your grandmother (she actually won't turn over in her grave) but for candidates who you believe will get the job done. And, why not, contribute locally to their campaigns.