Democracy hangs by a thread

The recent horrendous scenes in Washington, when Donald Trump's supporters stormed the Congress, costing four people their lives, have been rightly condemned. They were extraordinary scenes, with an incumbent president seemingly supporting the action. Eventually the insurgents were repelled, allowing the Congress to get on with its work of the day, which was confirming Joe Biden and Kamila Harris as the next President and Vice President of the US. But it was a dangerous day for democracy. Many forget that democracy in meaningful form is a relatively new concept. Winston Churchill notably said: Parliamentary democracy is the worse form of government, except all the others that have been tried. Our modern form of democratic government is dependent on having an informed and educated electorate.This is increasingly not the case. Social media has enabled people to seal themselves off in silos, with fellow travellers, who do not question but reinforce false notions. In the US (and to a lesser extent the UK) this has led to things like, people dismissing Covid as a hoax and encouraging the non wearing of masks. It has allowed a demagog like Trump to openly brand anything he didn't agree with, as fake news. His supporters unquestioningly believe him. Add to this an economic system that has seen a growing number of people getting poorer, while a small number grow ever richer and the stage is set for revolt. The irony in the US is that one of the very richest people in Trump has managed to position himself as the champion of this poor disenfranchised group. Remember, some 70 million people voted for Donald Trump in the Presidential election. In the UK, the dissatisfaction of so many culminated in the Brexit vote. Here also we had a leader of government going against democratic strictures, when Boris Johnson sought to illegally prorogue Parliament in autumn 2019. Politicians as a group have become a target for the mob - the epitomy of what they see as the elite, the cause of their suffering. Here, there was the expenses scandal, which led to politicians being seen as on the take. At present, the appallingly incompetent way the government is handling the Coronavirus is causing more damage to the cause of good governance. What is needed is a reawakening at all levels of the democratic process. Churchill was right it is not perfect but it is the best we've got. Democracy will only work better if more people take an interest and get involved. People need to come forward to represent all levels of our communities - those avenues need opening. There must also be accountability, not cronyism. People need to become better educated and informed. It is no good sitting on the sidelines expressing dissatisfaction on social media but never doing anything about it in the real world. That way, so many of us end up spectators on our own lives. Events in the US, provide a timely reminder as to just how fragile the vassal of democracy can be. It is though a precious thing that has cost many people their lives over the years. Democracy offers the chance for people to have a real say in how they are governed and how they live their lives, let's wake up to that reality before it is too late.