Conversation

Democracy Rule of 80:
Every 80 years without fail America has had to overcome authoritarianism. In the 1780’s it was a monarchy. In the 1860’s it was insurrectionists trying to establish a slave-based empire in the Americas. In the 1940’s it was global fascists with supporters on our own shores. And in the 2020’s it is a global push for authoritarianism. Why 80 years? Maybe because most who witnessed and stopped it the last time have passed. Now it’s our turn to save and renew Democracy.