Authoritarianism still makes an appeal, even in our democracy

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Rev. Robert L. Montgomery | Guest Opinion

Is the arc of history bending in a good direction? Specifically, is it bending in a direction that brings down evil and elevates good? Human nature has not changed and has ever and always been capable of evil. This means that throughout human history, evil, damaging and destructive events have taken place. Nevertheless, many beautiful and uplifting events have also taken place. But has the overall arc been toward a better world?

My question here regards world history, not individuals or even groups of individuals. Important evidence for the overall good direction of the arc of history is the emergence of democracy with its rights and freedoms as a system of government, something our barbarian ancestors never knew. In 1992, the scholar Francis Fukuyama published the book, "The End of History and the Last Man." A thesis of his book was that liberal democracy had conquered the rival ideologies like hereditary monarchy, fascism and communism. The recognition of the equality and the dignity of all people had won out. Later, he modified his judgement because oppressions continue internationally and within nations. Even though the desire for equality through democracy is still a powerful ideal in the world, many people, even in our American democracy, are being challenged and influenced by forces favoring autocracy and opposed to democracy. Authoritarianism is making an appeal to people, even in our democracy.

Let us agree that the founders of the American government deliberately adopted a democratic system of government. However, we know America has not followed a smooth arc in our democracy, seen in slavery followed by various discriminations in Reconstruction, and then Jim Crow laws accompanied by lynchings and other physical oppressions. One underlying hindrance, which has long been recognized by many, is our basic flawed human nature. James Madison and others among our founders recognized the frailty of human nature and the failure of human beings to live up to what they know is best. Ghandi and Martin Luther King Jr. saw that. They led movements that extended the arc of history toward liberation and greater justice for many.

Because the founders agreed with Madison in the view of human frailty, important checks were written into our American democratic government to help it avoid misuse of power. These checks and balances are represented in the three branches of our government, including the judicial system established to enforce conformity to the Constitution. In addition, elections give American citizens the ability to choose people who have authority over them. Added to this is the fact that freedoms of speech, press and assembly give transparency to the character and fitness of the candidates for the many offices.

Despite the recognition of the equality of all people and the many checks established to stop the misuse of power, democracies cannot escape the fact that not everybody is treated justly and some people abuse power. The arc of a continuously improving democracy in which liberty and justice are increasingly fulfilled is not smooth. We see even religious people allying themselves with authoritarian forces that are with Donald Trump. Authoritarianism is a dark cloud on our future. We must disperse it with the light of truth and continue to build institutions that protect health and enrich life, especially for those who lack power and opportunity to make their own and their children’s lives better.

Today, we need the same courage shown by the “greatest generation” of World War II and by the civil rights marchers during the struggle for justice and voting rights to keep the arc of our history and the larger history of the world bending toward a better future. The arc of our history bends toward a better world when we are allied with people of other democracies. We see people in other lands, living under authoritarians, yearning for freedoms and rights that we experience. We see them daily on television without food and decent housing and suffering from war. If we want the arc of history to continue moving in a positive direction, America must lead in furthering the cause of justice, freedom and human rights at home and throughout the world.

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Rev. Robert L. Montgomery, Ph.D., lives in Black Mountain.

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