This is a thought I had since doing my EBP for the reading How Democracies Die. Many states that have successfully pushed away authoritarian ruling was through the mechanisms of 'gatekeeping'. Political elites will ensure that any potential leader who shows traits of authoritarianism - no matter how charismatic they appear - will be excluded from the inner political circle. Is this democratic? Are they protecting democracy? An academic piece I found used the same reading to illustrate this thought. The title stood out to me:
The Great Gatekeeping Dilemma: When Efforts to Save Democracy, Subvert Democracy
https://www.democratic-erosion.com/2021/04/22/the-great-gatekeeping-dilemma-when-efforts-to-save-democracy-subvert-democracy/
In this, the author, Obergfell relate it to modern day gatekeeping in the US political system. The case for Marjorie Taylor Greene is explained. Greene was elected as a new member of the Republican Party in 2020 to represent Georgia's congressional district. Since her election, many of her past online remarks resurfaced including calling 9/11 a hoax, promoting QAnon conspiracy theories, and supporting the execution of Democratic leaders. This raised a red flag among the Democratic Party, calling for her to be expelled from Congress. However, the Republican party opposed to this idea. Obergfell concludes that in current US politics, the Democrats are left with the job to gatekeep, however, while this, in character is democratic, it further feeds into the polarisation of US politics.
Should gatekeeping be prioritised even if there will be repercussions?
Good question, Lunar - it's a difficult tradeoff! But it also depends on what is meant by gatekeeping; e.g., would enough parties ruling out a coalition with the Nazis or making a united front against them have saved German democracy in the 1930? Would it have been justified?
ReplyDeleteI would say that ideally all discussions within a democratic institution has to have verified sources. Green would not be able to discuss QAnon conspiracy theories, but actually back up her propaganda with facts. Same would go for anyone on the democratic side. This would lead to a better functioning and respectable governance that has actual accountability.
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