FUTURE

Democracy Is Our Most Important Asset

What is the most dangerous thing happening today?

We have become so accustomed to taking democracy for granted, believing it to be a form of governance that will endure through time, no matter what happens.

Throughout history, democracy has been subjected to many attacks, yet it has managed to hold its ground until our time. Now, however, we see that democracy is threatened in ways that we’ve not seen to this extent before.

Democratic institutions and democratic values are increasingly becoming the targets of strong and dangerous attacks from people who wish to seize power over a country or even over the entire world.

Over the last 10 to 15 years, events around the world have weakened democracy.

Authoritarian forces and men with ambitions of becoming dictators have used falsehoods, lies, and alternative presentations as tools to gain power. What is truly alarming is that these individuals manage to expand their following by spreading lies and falsehoods to people who vote and elect new leaders in countries with free elections.

It is also alarming, but less astonishing, that many people in autocratic regimes like Russia seem to accept the alternative truth presented to them by their autocratic leader, Putin.

Today, the world faces a situation where one of the leading superpowers, the USA, is at a crossroads where everything could tip from an established democracy to the governance of a man who uses lies and falsehoods to gain power. This method has proven to be highly effective. We see the same in Russia, where Putin presents matters in a completely different light than they are, using lies, violence, and oppression to silence opponents and popular opposition. This development is extremely dangerous for both Putin’s own country and for the West.

But what is really the most dangerous thing happening today?

Is it climate change and its catastrophic consequences, wars between nations, and nuclear war, or is it the spread of falsehoods and lies and the normalization of such misuse of false information?

Is it the most dangerous thing happening today that voters in democratic countries and elsewhere eventually accept lies as alternative truths? The increasing acceptance of lies and falsehood as the basis for politics represents a dangerous mental process that is underway in humans around the world. This normalization of lies as “alternative” truths is extremely dangerous because it could lead to the undermining of democracy and the destruction of the world we know today.

This scenario, reminiscent of the dystopian society depicted in the book “1984,” written by George Orwell and published in 1949, shows traits we might have thought we would not see in our own society today. This is more than just frightening.

What can we do to save democracy?

I believe that we can do a lot to save democracy, and it’s necessary that we do everything we can to preserve the foundation of democracy, thereby safeguarding the conditions for our lives here and now, and in the future, as well as the future of our children and grandchildren. To save democracy, we must think anew, concretely, precisely, and specifically.

What do people around the world need most of all? What do people around the world want? Well, it’s an existence where they are well, where they have the material things they need, where they have income, a house, and a home, relate to other humans, and have a roof over their heads, where they feel safe and are protected against violence and dangerous actions from others.

Everyone wants a world without war, but to achieve this, we must act targeted and more directly towards the goals of building wealth and well-being for all people on earth. To achieve this and support democracy, we must convince people that it’s best to tell the truth as it is, and not base ourselves on lies and fear.

We need a solid defence wall, a defence for the truth, to convince people that relying on the truth in everything we do is the most important single tool we have to take care of ourselves, safeguard our lives here and now, and secure our future and the future of generations that come after us.

To save democracy, it’s important that we, as a society, take active steps to strengthen and protect our democratic institutions and processes. Here are some measures that can contribute to this:

Education in democracy

Education plays a key role in promoting understanding of and engagement in democratic processes. Schools should teach how democracy works, the importance of the right to vote, and how to critically evaluate information.

Fighting fake news

The development of programs and technologies that help people identify and reject false information and news can include digital enlightenment work that teaches people how to critically assess sources and news on the internet.

Promoting free and fair journalism

Support for independent media and journalists who report accurately and fairly, and who hold power to account, is essential for a healthy democracy.

Strengthening the rule of law

Ensuring that laws respect and protect democratic values and human rights and that they are enforced impartially. This includes protecting freedom of speech and the right to assemble.

Increasing participation in elections

Encouraging and simplifying participation in elections through measures such as early voting, electronic voting, and information campaigns that emphasize the importance of every vote.

Supporting civil society

Engagement in and support for civil society organizations that promote democratic values, and community participation. This can also include active participation in local communities and politics.

Promoting dialogue and understanding

Creating forums for dialogue between distinct groups in society to promote understanding and respect for different perspectives. This can help reduce polarization and promote cooperation.

Technological integrity in elections

Ensuring that the technology used in election processes is secure, transparent, and resistant to manipulation. This includes protection against cyberattacks and interference in election results.

Transparency in political financing

Ensuring transparency around the financing of political campaigns and parties to avoid corrupt influence and ensure equal access to the political system.

International cooperation

Collaborating with other countries and international organizations to promote and support democratic values globally, including standing up against authoritarian regimes and supporting democratic movements all over the world.

Conclusion

Let’s go back to the basic question:

What is really the most dangerous thing happening today?

Is it climate change?

Is it wars between nations?

Is it nuclear war?

Is it the senseless spread of falsehoods and lies and the normalization of such misuse of false information?

We need to see this clearly:

What is the key issue that threatens humanity in our time?

We must combat lies and “alternative truths”,

we must save free thought and democracy.

All Rights Reserved © 3–2024 Øivind H. Solheim

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