Quote:
Originally Posted by GirlySports
Do you feel we are reaching a point that maybe 'the republic' is at risk and could be replaced by something else either right-wing or left-wing?
|
Liberal democracy is definitely under assault as a political system. It doesn't get covered much in the media here, but several Eastern European countries (Poland, Hungary) have been essentially taken over by illiberal, ultra-right nationalist parties. Many of the institutions of liberal democracy are also under assault from an identarian left that feels its moral purpose is too vital to tolerate such niceties as due process, the rule of law, and free speech.
Our secular, consumerist culture doesn't offer much to people looking for answers. People aren't being strong-armed into the identarian left and ultra-nationalist right - they're embracing them in an effort to fulfil enduring human psychological needs. The need to have a simple and emotionally-satisfying outlook on the world. To belong to a group of like-minded people. To explain why they're unhappy and identify someone else to blame.
These threats are nothing new. But our society does seem more vulnerable to them today than at any time in the last couple generations.