Per this observation: "The democracy/autocracy debate is healthy, although I do wish there were more reporting about voters to whom some measure of autocracy is attractive. (I think this is a much larger group than most coverage tends to acknowledge.)"
RNS just did a piece on this, based on a survey that was unveiled at our event in NYC on Sept. 10
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New survey points to correlation between Christian nationalism and authoritarian views
Please, enlighten us...why is that healthy? In what modern world have you seen a benevolent autocrat caring for their people and promoting innovation so that autocratically-led society prospers? Where is the data, or the examples, that might lend credence to the autocratic side of that debate?
As I had hoped was clear from the context, what I am saying there is that what's healthy is coverage of how much of a threat to democracy/of autocracy is being posed.
I would, however, note two things: 1) Trump too claims that his opponents are a threat to democracy. I personally think this is childish "I'm rubber, you're glue, whatever you say bounces off me and sticks to you" stuff, but it is out there; and 2) As I said I the piece, I don't think we are adequately taking account of how many of our fellow citizens may favor some measure of autocracy. I'm not one of them, and apparently neither are you, but in a democracy, we do owe some attention to significant blocs of voters even if we think they are deeply mistaken or misguided.
Hiya, thanks as always for your commentary.
Per this observation: "The democracy/autocracy debate is healthy, although I do wish there were more reporting about voters to whom some measure of autocracy is attractive. (I think this is a much larger group than most coverage tends to acknowledge.)"
RNS just did a piece on this, based on a survey that was unveiled at our event in NYC on Sept. 10
-->>
New survey points to correlation between Christian nationalism and authoritarian views
https://religionnews.com/2024/09/16/new-survey-points-to-correlation-between-christian-nationalism-and-authoritarian-views/
Kudos for this grading and commentary.
Well done and all too true.
Robert Keatley
The democracy/autocracy debate is "healthy"?
Please, enlighten us...why is that healthy? In what modern world have you seen a benevolent autocrat caring for their people and promoting innovation so that autocratically-led society prospers? Where is the data, or the examples, that might lend credence to the autocratic side of that debate?
I'm all ears, counselor...
As I had hoped was clear from the context, what I am saying there is that what's healthy is coverage of how much of a threat to democracy/of autocracy is being posed.
I would, however, note two things: 1) Trump too claims that his opponents are a threat to democracy. I personally think this is childish "I'm rubber, you're glue, whatever you say bounces off me and sticks to you" stuff, but it is out there; and 2) As I said I the piece, I don't think we are adequately taking account of how many of our fellow citizens may favor some measure of autocracy. I'm not one of them, and apparently neither are you, but in a democracy, we do owe some attention to significant blocs of voters even if we think they are deeply mistaken or misguided.
Sanewashing should be banned!
Excellent analysis, as always.