In Defense Of Democracy
                                                                                   from: Systems Of Governance
 

Democracy’s best defense is honor. Denial, omission, fabrication, minimization, and exaggeration are the ways in which democracy is eroded. They, those without honor, will employ those tools to gain advantage in every instance, regardless of outcome. They will circumvent, prevent, and disrupt honest government for the sake of holding on to power. It is exactly that, which threaten the fragile constructs upon which democracy is built.

In 1779, Benedict Arnold, who had proven his courage during several significant battles during the Revolutionary War, negotiated in secret to surrender his command, West Point, New York, to the Britishi. In spite of a series of bad mistakes by England, victory for the foundling United States was far from certain. If Arnold had surrendered West Point, Great Britain would have controlled the Hudson River severely crippling communication, supply lines, and the unity of the colonies. Theories presented by historians to account for Arnold’s actions are varied. No matter which track is taken to explain his actions; No matter how just or unjust his grievances; No matter the consequences which divided his loyalty, the one thread which binds any justification for Arnold’s actions was his lack of honor.

Arnold’s treachery found the weakest link of every democratic endeavor. General George Washington trusted his friend, General Benedict Arnold. Washington’s trust was not vested in Arnold’s abilities, even though they were considerable. Washington’s trust was not predicated on Arnold’s proven battlefield courage. Nor was it rooted in their friendship. Washington’s trust was informed by honor. The honor that comes with loyalty to one’s office; to one’s mission; or to one’s duty. It is the betrayal of that trust that attacks the foundation of democracy. When people are put in a position of leadership and duty, and they have no honor, it is that lack of honor which lies at the root of betrayal. Arnold earned his reputation as a traitor because when it was time to lean on his honor, he was found lacking.

United States history’s most notable moments are replete with the actions of persons of honor. These tales of the exploits of the great men and women of the past are accepted as the norm when, in fact, they are not. It goes against human nature to assume power and not use that power for one’s own benefit. It goes against the grain of history to forsake one’s self for the greater good. It is an unusual person who will look beyond personal gain, and reach for the betterment of mankind. It is the unusual person who, honor bound, is bound by that honor.

George Washington, the first President of the United States, had many flaws. His military career is punctuated with significant losses and blunders. It is his actions which caused the French and Indian War and led to the revolution. George Washington was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, which proclaimed that all men were created equal, yet he was the largest slave owner in Virginia. Like many propertied white men in the young United States, Washington’s arrogance and sense of privilege demonstrated a lean towards the very Aristocracy that he denounced. However flawed he may have been, Washington’s greatness was honor. It was that honor that screwed his courage to a sticking point. When the battle was at its darkest, with courage rooted in honor he stood on the front line with nothing between him and the enemy but the bullets that were fired at him, and urged his troops to find the glory on the battlefield.

It was with that same honor that Washington made the first presidency of the United States the standard to follow. He pushed away the traditional trappings of high office and made the President of the United States, the servant of the people. He did not allow the title and traditions of the monarchy to infect the government of the United States. Idolized by a nation trying to find its way and thirsting for leadership, George Washington was the first to hold an office that he could have easily turned into personal gain. He did not. When it was time to go, Washington left quietly, peaceably, humbly, and honorably; thereby strengthening the idea of democracy and empowering its yet untested constructs.

United States democracy is in crises. It is at a turning point. Democracy is always in crises, and forever at a turning point. Some assume that it is the systems of a democratic nation that keeps it in a state of crises. They are wrong. Some assume that democracy cannot survive the lesser angels of human nature. They are wrong. There are those who look back and long for a past that never was and proclaim their imagined past was the apex of United States democracy. Their foolish romanticism fully embraced, they then state that the country is more divided now than it ever has been. They too, are wrong.

The United States has amassed the most powerful Navy ever. In its daily routine the U. S. Navy patrols the waters of the world. On every U.S. ship, during every second of a ship’s life there are sailors standing watch. During normal underway periods, in the middle of the night, the sailor at the helm is probably in his or her twenties, and just as likely has less than four years experience at sea. That sailor may hate the Navy, or may have plans to make the Navy a career. In either instance there is one constant, that sailor will pilot that boat, taking orders from the Conning Officer, to the best of their ability. The lives of the crew, millions of dollars of equipment, and the best traditions of U. S. Navy, sits squarely on the shoulders of that sailor and his honor.

On those same ships during the mid-watch, a sailor is charged with checking this valve or that switch. Some of the switches are hard to reach; some of the valves require a thorough physical inspection. The confines of a modern U. S. Navy ship are small. No matter how large the vessel, or its mission, every inch onboard is maximized. Therefore, access to some valves, switches, and gauges is a struggle. Add to this, the days at sea are long and rest and sleep always take a backseat to duty. Yet, every watch the checks are made and every required inspection completed. Every sailor knows that it is only their sense of duty and the obligations of honor keep the Navy afloat.

The claim to honor is not solely that of Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Soldiers who do their duty honorably, yet unseen. The watch over a nation that challenges itself everyday with the obligations of democracy rests on the honor of millions. The civil servants and bureaucrats, who opt to make a difference instead of a dollar take, are in the ranks of the honorable. The every day citizen, whose acts of kindness and respect for those who hold different views, or have different beliefs, are in the legion of the honorable. Those who battle against others who attack the core of democracy with lies, corruption, dishonesty and a lack of courage to honestly face the past, provide the platform upon which democracy can grow.

Each elected official and every bureaucrat who puts themselves in the service of the country is obligated to act honorably, else the system fails. The elected official who betrays the office by pilfering and obfuscation degrades the office and; therefore, weakens democracy. Any bureaucrat who is unwilling to sacrifice their position in support of the true and lawful actions is not worthy of the office with which they have been entrusted. Any citizen in a democratic nation is honor bound to uphold the principles of democracy. From this thinnest of threads democracy hangs.

i “Benedict Arnold”, History, http://history.com/topics/american-revolution/benedict-arnold//, January 16, 2020 (accessed: June 25, 2022).