Divisions putting democracy under threat
Despite all the economic and other advances made in recent times throughout the world community, tensions and divisions in growing numbers of countries seem to be increasing.
While differences and divisions within any society are certainly not unusual or even unexpected, if serious divisions are not recognized and resolved, they can have unhelpful consequences for any society, even those considered highly developed with well-educated inhabitants.
It’s an unwelcome reality that two dissimilar countries, Venezuela and the United States, are both confronting divisions that are undermining their democratic systems and the rule of law.
And that grim reality has important implications for other countries. That includes those, like Canada, that have prided themselves on their commitment to authentic democracy and respect for fundamental human rights for all their citizens, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity or other considerations.
In Venezuela’s case, despite that nation’s large petroleum deposits, abundant mineral resources and fertile farmland, the country’s economic situation had dramatically deteriorated over several years, resulting in large-scale consumer-goods shortages, including basic foodstuffs.
The longstanding divisions within that resource-rich nation’s population finally deteriorated to the point where the country’s supreme court ruled that Venezuela’s democratically elected legislature was effectively banned from initiating new laws.
This action was denounced by the United States, as well as by most members of the Organization of American States, calling it an antidemocratic action. In the face of pressure, the court reversed its decision.
Venezuela’s foreign minister angrily denounced OAS member states for attempting to overthrow the legally elected government of leftwing President Nicolás Maduro, who assumed power following the death of president Hugo Chavez.
What is noteworthy about Venezuela’s situation is that despite its abundant natural resources, sectors of the population never shared meaningfully in that country’s economic progress, so many people were marginalized and susceptible to the siren call of those preaching radical change.
The deteriorating situation there has reached the point where the future of that nation’s democratic system is in question.
While the situation in the United States obviously is very different from Venezuela, many are increasingly concerned over growing divisions in the U.S., as well.
Despite its own indisputable economic wealth and technological sophistication, in recent years the previously vigorous and dominant United States experienced much greater trading competition from other countries. Countless American firms began expanding operations in foreign nations where lower labour costs and tax savings could be achieved.
This phenomenon undermined sectors of the once vibrant and profitable American economy, resulting in largescale and traumatic job losses, with millions of Americans left on the sidelines as technological advances benefited more-educated Americans.
This polarizing of the American population resulted in widespread discontent, reaching the point that it polarized sectors of the population, particularly less-educated white male Americans, many angered over their isolation from the America they and their families once knew.
This anger and isolation created a bitter sense of alienation that in recent years festered and only needed someone to exploit.
And that is exactly what Donald Trump managed to do.
Like many authoritarian leaders, Trump presented himself as the champion of those in society who felt abandoned by self-serving elites and who had lost their livelihoods and futures in their own country, much of it blamed on others.
Trump utilized that anger and sense of isolation to pose as the sole leader committed to returning the United States to the country so many Americans still ardently believe in. Trump’s commitment to restore that America has sadly further divided American society, as have his dubious policies and controversial actions inciting racism.
Where such dangerous and insidious policies ultimately lead remains unknown, but the social and political tension Trump’s policies have already created are a clear warning for everyone, including Canadians. No authentic democracy can long survive if all members of society do not have a true commitment to respect their countrymen’s rights as fellow citizens.
It’s a reality Canada’s political parties, including Conservative and NDP members, would do well to remember when selecting their own new leaders.