The Demon in Democracy

Even the basic student of history knows that democracy has one internal flaw: It can be voted out of existence. In early 1933, Hitler’s National Socialists (Nazis) were legally and democratically elected. That was Germany’s last election for 16 years. During the interim, the nazis brought about the cataclysmic Second World War, including the destruction of their own country. In 2000, Russia’s President Putin was elected to a 6 year term, with a maximum of two terms. Similarly, Mahmoud Abbas, president of the Palestinian Authority, was elected in 2005 to a five year term…you do the maths. And now Donald Trump is talking about an extended time in office and a “unified Reich.” Be careful what you wish for…

I am a staunch supporter of democracy, but I am a realist and have been aware for most of my life that there lies a demon in the heart of democracy, and that is: it contains the possibility of its own destruction. US news pundits are falling all over the themselves asking whether a convicted felon can serve as president. Sadly–and shockingly–the answer is “yes”. It seems the likes of James Madison and those who helped him formulate the constitution never envisaged the problem of having a felon be nominated for the presidency. Thus no provisions were made to counteract it. Ten years ago, who could have seriously considered that a crime boss would be selected the candidate of the Republican party? But now, it has become a badge of honour.

If Trump should be re-elected, this would set a dangerous precedent that would allow murderers, child abusers, drug dealers and others to serve as president. But that is, of course, if there will be further elections. Trump openly admires the likes of Putin, Kim Jong Un and other despots. To dismiss the possibility of a younger Trump replacing Don, Sr. when he dies is not beyond the realm of possibility. Remember, Hitler spent time in prison for treason nine years before he was elected Chancellor. It was during his imprisonment that Hitler penned Mein Kampf, laying out plans that most of Germany (and the world) never took seriously…until it was too late.

Because most people are subject to their projections–what they want to believe or see–rather than the hard facts staring them in the face; they believe the likes of Trump will “be their friend”. Was it Lenin who said, that in order to retain power, first you kill your enemies, then you kill your friends? But that alas is where denial comes in: “It can’t happen to me/us.”

We would do well to remember the words of German pastor Martin Niemoller, himself a decorated U-Boat captain in WW1 (Iron Cross, first class) and who voted for Hitler in 1933; something he very much came to regret. When he became an outspoken critic of the nazi regime, he was imprisoned from 1937 until the end of the war in May 1945.

“First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.”

Martin Niemöller