Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Democracies have a fatal flaw: majorities can elect leaders who do not believe in democracy or the rule of law or the necessity of strong independent civil institutions such as universities and a free press.
Hitler became chancellor by constitutional means. This flaw has become increasingly evident this century, with populist demagogues such as Orban, Bolsonaro, Duterte and Trump the most disturbing examples. It was for this reason that Karl Popper enunciated the paradox of tolerance; that democracies should tolerate everything except intolerance.
Freedom of speech protects even intolerant speech, which is democracy’s second fatal flaw. Populist leaders subvert the only forces strong enough to counter populism, which are strong civic institutions. Politics cannot save us – only we can.
Michael Boylan, Glebe Donald Trump. Credit: Getty Images Most citizens in America have what they want, but their republic will endure. What is devastating is what will happen to NATO, Zelensky and Ukraine, what will happen to Palestinians, what will happen to the environment, and how the little tyrants and despots around the world will thrive.
Kristina Vingis, Church Point Is democracy dead? No. A democratic system, flawed but functional, delivered the people’s choice. The outco.