10 Things You Can Do To Defend Democracy

[Nevilledog]

https://liberalarts.tamu.edu/blog/2022/02/28/10-things-you-can-do-to-defend-democracy/

The invasion of Ukraine – the largest European war since World War II – has exposed the growing ruthlessness of authoritarian leaders towards democracy. Russian President Vladimir Putin is leading the charge in undermining democratic movements and popular uprisings. According to experts, his invasion of Ukraine is a window into a world without checks on authoritarian behavior and a warning and wakeup call to all democratic states.

Jennifer Mercieca, professor of communication at Texas A&M University, said we must work together to defend democracy. She outlined 10 steps on Twitter that we can all take now to defend our democratic freedom.

“We need a whole of society approach to defending democracy because there is a whole of society approach to destroying democracy,” Mercieca’s Twitter thread began. “Every sector of society is under attack from anti-democrats. We must work together. And of course, that means you too. Democracy isn’t just defended with tanks, democracy is a way of life as well as a method of politics.”

Take action to defend democracy by following Mercieca’s democracy spreading practices.

1. Build trust between different sectors of society and different factions. Democracy thrives with bridge building, it erodes with distrust and cynicism.
2. Use whatever power you have, in whatever spheres of influence to ask one question, “are we doing enough to defend democracy?”
3. Spread good information, both online and off. Support those who are generating and distributing good information (researchers, teachers, media, librarians).
4. Support institutions, especially communal ones like libraries, food banks, schools. Support places where people connect.
5. Call people in, not out. We tend to want to shame those with whom we disagree, but authoritarians thrive with alienation. Shaming and shunning will drive people toward authoritarians. Call them in, befriend them. Build bridges. Bridges strengthen democracy.
6. Give money, time and attention to pro-democracy politicians, organizations, institutions and movements. Look for groups already working to support democracy.
7. Democracy is everybody. Everybody. Check your innate skepticism of people not like you. Work on that. We need all of us.
8. Go out in public as a democracy defender. Talk about democracy with people. Show up to events, hearings, etc. as a democrat. Join a march. Make being pro-democracy a thing people know about you and associate with you.
9. Communicate as a democrat. That means using persuasion, not compliance-gaining strategies. That means being open to new information, perspectives, values. It means being inclusive, not exclusive. Democracy is a way of life, it’s also a way of thinking and communicating.
10. Finally, do not be cynical. Do not defeat democracy with your cynicism. Block or mute cynical people/accounts. Cynicism is not useful for a pro-democracy movement. Hope is necessary.

“We can do this,” Mercieca said. “Make a plan for spreading democracy, focus on the practices.”

*the end*


5 is a no go for me right now. 10 is hanging on by a thread.

[Irish_Dem]

1. How about exposing the GOP as Putin's puppets and Putin shadow government?

[wnylib]

2. Works for me.

[Irish_Dem]

6. I don't know why we are giving the PutinGOP a pass.

We need to fight.

[wnylib]

8. I hope that Biden at least throws them

some shade during the SOTU.

We can't count on the media to call out the Putin supporters, so we need some big name people to do it, not just on Twitter, but in real world places where it will get attention and be reported. They need to be big name people, politicians and celebrities, to get the media's attention.

[Irish_Dem]

9. I like your ideas.

Yes the US media is a Putin propaganda arm.

I hope Biden takes your advice and calls out the PutinGOP.

And it would be great if big names called them out as well.
They work for Putin, not the US.

[uponit7771]

10. THIS !!!! ☝🏾☝🏾☝🏾 Who cares what their "words" say they're still implementing anti voter laws NOW

[Irish_Dem]

11. The PutinGOP is overturning democracy as we speak.

They have weakened US democracy to the point Putin felt invincible and could invade Ukraine with impunity.

[uponit7771]

12. +1

[wnylib]

3. I really hope you manage to overcome

your cynicism. Where would Ukraine be today if they had given in to it? Their performance is an example to learn from and live by.

[bucolic_frolic]

4. Drive courteously

I had to straddle the shoulder last week to permit 2 cars to pass a UPS truck intruding into their lane. The driver of the second car held up his big palm to me as he passed. He didn't have to slow down. If you can get people thinking courtesy in small ways, it pay it forward. Ditto red lights. When the light turns green, step on it! Don't look left, and right and the rear view ... 3 cars can pass by the time you're done waking up. Courtesy.

[usonian]

5. I added you to my "Stand up and Fight" thread.

Because at this time, fighting for democracy means supporting Democrats nationwide.

https://democraticunderground.com/100216380145

I welcome more "Here's what we can do to win" links.
And if anyone has a real compendium of these, I will defer.

DNC included!

[FakeNoose]

7. It sounds like she must be aiming this at the Repukes

... or maybe it's for the clueless people who suddenly started paying attention this week.

I don't know