Preface
Many forms of Government have been tried, and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed it has been said that democracy is the worst form of Government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time...
It is true that most of, if not all, the alternatives to democracy are worse. People should have a voice in how their lives are affected by policies. With it, the ideals of freedom, representation, and fairness are promised.
However, there are countless examples from history and the present on how dictators have risen to power not with bullets, but with ballots. Adolf Hitler's rise in Germany and António de Oliveira Salazar's tenure in Portugal serve as stark reminders of how democratic processes can be manipulated to establish authoritarian regimes.
If the same system that promises to guarantee freedom can also destroy it, what can we do to prevent it? I propose that the answer lies in education. This is our most potent tool against ignorance and propaganda, which often fuel populist movements.
It's no coincidence that newly established dictatorships frequently target educational institutions and the educated classes. By undermining education, they aim to suppress critical thinking and consolidate control. Only force can be used to control those who are immune to propaganda.
Democracy remains our best option, but it requires vigilance and continuous improvement. Without proactive measures, we risk perpetuating a cycle where periods of enlightenment are followed by regression into authoritarianism.
We must not let ourselves believe that we've nailed democracy and that we can no longer make it better, even if better is not obvious at first.
What Makes us Human?
We don't usually refer to ourselves as Homo sapiens. Unless we're in a taxonomy class, that is. Instead, we call ourselves humans.
Most dictionaries define human as "a person, in contrast to an animal or machine." Essentially, we're Homo sapiens — an animal — with something more. That "something" is our humanity.
But what is our humanity? We like to believe we're special among living beings. We use complex language to express abstract ideas and collaborate. We create art, follow rituals, and uphold traditions. We possess a moral compass guiding our social interactions. We've evolved to live in societies, becoming less reactive and more tolerant. We build upon past knowledge and culture, passing it on to future generations.
It's our capacity to care for others — not just those close to us, but also strangers — that defines us. We strive for survival, not only our own but that of our society. We want our children to thrive. By ensuring everyone can survive, we all contribute to society's well-being. Only when our personal survival is threatened do we consider sacrificing societal well-being. Self-preservation is ingrained in our animal nature. The only way to keep it in check is through a well-functioning, supportive society.