The American Sentiment on Democracy: A Troubling Shift
Only about a third of Americans express satisfaction with how democracy operates in their country, according to a recent Gallup poll. This statistic highlights a growing unease among the public regarding the state of democratic governance and raises pertinent questions about the alternatives being considered.
The Allure of Authoritarianism
Interestingly, alongside this dissatisfaction, surveys from the Pew Research Center and Earth4All/Ipsos indicate that between 30% to 41% of Americans are open to exploring some form of authoritarianism. This juxtaposition of discontent with democratic processes and flirtation with authoritarian ideals is striking and indicative of deeper societal discontent.
Voices of Experience
In light of these trends, KPBS spoke with two individuals from San Diego who have firsthand experience living in autocratic systems. Their insights reveal the stark realities and psychological toll of life under such regimes.
A Professor’s Experience in Saudi Arabia and the Soviet Union
One man, who requested anonymity due to professional concerns, is a local university professor who spent his childhood in Saudi Arabia and later lived in the former Soviet Union. He recounts how, upon entering Saudi Arabia, his family had their passports confiscated. This act symbolized a lack of freedom, where travel became conditional upon government approval.
In the Soviet Union, he experienced a stifling lack of viable political alternatives. Dissent was met with harsh repercussions. “Dissatisfaction with the government did not translate to options for change,” he explained. The absence of a strong opposition meant that citizens often felt trapped in a cycle of obedience and resignation.
The Psychological Burden of Autocracy
Carl Luna, a political scientist from San Diego Mesa College, articulates the trade-offs inherent in autocratic systems: conformity for security. “As long as you played by the rules,” he noted, “you’d be left alone.” However, this often created an environment of suspicion, where individuals were incentivized to report on one another to stay in the good graces of the government.
The psychological toll of such a system is profound. Celestial concepts of freedom, choice, and identity become warped under oppressive regimes. Luna emphasized that authoritarianism can leave individuals impoverished not just materially but also spiritually and psychologically.
Life Under an Authoritarian Regime: A Dual Existence
The second San Diego resident interviewed by KPBS also grew up in an authoritarian regime—specifically, Iran. He described a society where citizens often felt the need to maintain a facade. In public, many had to align with the government’s ideologies to avoid potential repercussions. He illustrated this with the example of Ramadan; if individuals chose not to fast, they had to do so discreetly, fostering a culture of duality and secrecy.
This dual existence can lead to significant inner conflict. What happens to personal identity when one is forced to conform publicly while living contrary to those values in private? Such psychological stressors are intricately tied to the demands of authoritarian governance.
An Emerging Threat to Democratic Values
Political scientist Barbara Walter from UC San Diego warns that the U.S. finds itself in a precarious position. She categorizes it as an “anocracy,” situated between democracy and autocracy. Walter points out that the decline of American democratic norms has accelerated at an alarming pace, particularly in recent years. The U.S. is no longer comparable to thriving democracies like Denmark or Canada, instead finding itself in an ambiguous state of partial democracy.
Global Perspectives on Democracy
The challenges facing American democracy are not isolated. Reports from Democracy Without Borders suggest a worrying trend: for the first time in two decades, autocracies are outnumbering democracies worldwide. This phenomenon contributes to the historic low of individuals living under democratic governance, reflecting a shift in global political dynamics that raises important concerns for the future of freedom and autonomy in various regions.
In sum, the sentiments of dissatisfaction with democracy coupled with openness to authoritarian alternatives reflect a complex interplay of historical, psychological, and social factors. Through the lenses of individuals who have experienced life under such regimes, the stark realities they describe serve as cautionary tales in contemporary discussions about governance and freedom.