A government of the people, by the people, and for the people, was the goal of the founding fathers, but what happens when the people decide to break their own rules?
One of the key aspects of the American government is federalism–which is the idea of having two governments over the same territory. America is a country that prides itself on states’ individual right to govern as they choose, there are still some ground rules for the federal government to ensure a functioning democracy, said Dr. Kate Masur, professor of history at Northwestern University.
“Creating a multiracial democracy, a true democracy in which people of all different kinds have a voice is very difficult. People who seek to create multiracial democracy with fairness and justice in this country always face serious opposition,” Masur said.
January 6, 2021, tore a hole in American democracy, and ensuring that doesn’t happen again has been a focus of lawmakers, scholars and everyday Americans alike.
A Washington Post-University of Maryland poll released last week found the majority (55%) of Americans believe the Capitol riot was an “attack on democracy that should never be forgotten.”
“The attack that day has left a lasting mark on American democracy — but we know that a majority of Americans see political violence as a problem and overwhelmingly reject it,” said Joanna Lydgate, CEO of States United Democracy Center.
Here’s how to protect American democracy from the chaos of Jan. 6:
Enforce the 13th, 14th and 15th amendments
To understand the future, it helps to look at what we’ve already learned from the past. Looking to the post-Civil War Reconstruction period can help us better understand what it means to have a democracy where all citizens have an opportunity to share their input on how the government should lead us.
Looking at the 13th, 14th and 15th amendments can give us a good reminder of what American elections are built on.
As a professor of 19th Century history who has…
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