Tyranny of the Minority

1. America's democratic experiment faces unprecedented threats

We stand at a crossroads: either America will be a multiracial democracy or it will not be a democracy at all.

Democratic backsliding. The United States is experiencing a period of democratic erosion unprecedented in its modern history. Despite its long-standing democratic traditions, America has proven vulnerable to authoritarian tendencies, exemplified by the events surrounding the 2020 election and the January 6th insurrection. This backsliding is particularly alarming given that the U.S. was long considered immune to such threats due to its wealth and democratic longevity.

Institutional vulnerabilities. The roots of this crisis lie in America's political institutions, which were designed in a pre-democratic era and now empower partisan minorities at the expense of popular majorities. Key examples include:

• The Electoral College, which allows presidents to be elected without winning the popular vote
• The Senate's equal representation of states, giving disproportionate power to less populous areas
• The filibuster, which enables a minority to block legislation
• Lifetime appointments to the Supreme Court

These institutional features, combined with increasing polarization and the radicalization of the Republican Party, have created a perfect storm threatening the foundations of American democracy.

2. Counter-majoritarian institutions are empowering a partisan minority

America risks descending into minority rule—an unusual and undemocratic situation in which a party that wins fewer votes than its rivals nevertheless maintains control over key levers of political power.

Institutional bias. America's political system contains numerous counter-majoritarian elements that were originally designed to protect minority rights and prevent tyranny of the majority. However, in the current political landscape, these institutions have taken on a partisan cast, consistently benefiting the Republican Party at the expense of popular majorities.

Consequences of minority rule:

• Presidents elected without winning the popular vote (e.g., 2000 and 2016 elections)
• Senate control by a party representing a minority of the population
• Supreme Court appointments by presidents and senators representing a minority
• State legislatures controlled by parties that lost the popular vote due to gerrymandering

This dynamic allows policies opposed by a majority of Americans to be enacted or preserved, such as restrictive abortion laws and lax gun regulations. It also enables the blocking of popular initiatives like minimum wage increases and voting rights protections. The result is a growing disconnect between public opinion and government action, eroding faith in democratic institutions.

3. The Republican Party's transformation undermines democratic norms

The same party that was pivotal in passing the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was unanimous in rejecting federal legislation to restore it in 2021.

Ideological shift. The Republican Party has undergone a radical transformation in recent decades, moving from a mainstream center-right party to one that increasingly embraces authoritarian tendencies. This shift is rooted in the party's "southern strategy" of the 1960s and subsequent efforts to appeal to white grievance politics.

Key developments in the GOP's antidemocratic turn:

• Embracing voter suppression tactics and gerrymandering
• Refusing to accept election results when they lose
• Downplaying or justifying political violence (e.g., January 6th insurrection)
• Purging party members who stand up for democratic norms

This transformation has been accelerated by the rise of right-wing media ecosystems, the influence of dark money in politics, and the party's increasing reliance on a shrinking demographic base of white Christian voters. The result is a party that now routinely violates democratic norms and actively works to undermine the foundations of multiracial democracy.

4. Demographic changes have fueled authoritarian backlash

Fear is often what drives the turn to authoritarianism. Fear of losing political power and, perhaps more important, fear of losing one's dominant status in society.

Changing America. The United States has undergone dramatic demographic shifts in recent decades, becoming increasingly diverse due to immigration and changing social norms. These changes include:

• Decline in the white share of the population from 88% in 1950 to 58% in 2020
• Growth of religious diversity and decline of white Christian dominance
• Increased racial integration in neighborhoods and schools
• Rising rates of interracial marriage and multiracial identification

Reactionary response. For many white Americans, particularly those who have long occupied positions of social dominance, these changes feel threatening. This has fueled a backlash characterized by:

• Embrace of white Christian nationalism
• Support for restrictive immigration policies
• Attempts to roll back civil rights and voting protections
• Willingness to support authoritarian leaders who promise to "restore" a mythologized past

The Republican Party has increasingly catered to these reactionary sentiments, transforming from a party of business interests to one centered on white grievance politics. This dynamic has made the GOP resistant to moderation or attempts to broaden its appeal, as its base views any compromise as an existential threat.

5. Constitutional hardball tactics erode democracy from within

Most twenty-first-century autocracies are built via constitutional hardball.

Subtle subversion. Modern authoritarian movements often work within the letter of the law to undermine democratic norms and institutions. This "constitutional hardball" involves exploiting legal ambiguities, selective enforcement of laws, and the creation of new laws that appear neutral but target political opponents.

Examples of constitutional hardball tactics:

• Exploiting gaps in existing laws or constitutional provisions
• Excessive use of emergency powers or other rarely-used legal mechanisms
• Selective enforcement of laws against political opponents
• Creating new laws that disproportionately affect opposition voters or parties
• Packing courts or other institutions with partisan loyalists

These tactics are particularly dangerous because they allow authoritarians to claim they are following democratic procedures while systematically dismantling democratic safeguards. The gradual nature of this erosion can make it difficult for the public to recognize the threat until significant damage has been done to democratic institutions.

6. America's democratic institutions lag behind other developed nations

America is an outlier. And we are now more vulnerable to minority rule than any other established democracy.

Institutional stagnation. While many democracies have reformed their political systems to become more representative and responsive to popular will, the United States has largely maintained its 18th-century institutional framework. This has left America with numerous antidemocratic features that other nations have long since abandoned.

Areas where U.S. democracy lags:

• Indirect presidential elections via the Electoral College
• Severely malapportioned upper chamber (Senate)
• First-past-the-post electoral system prone to gerrymandering
• Lifetime appointments for Supreme Court justices
• Extremely difficult constitutional amendment process

These outdated institutions make the U.S. uniquely vulnerable to minority rule and democratic backsliding. They also contribute to political polarization, gridlock, and a growing disconnect between government actions and popular will. Addressing these institutional weaknesses is crucial for safeguarding American democracy in the 21st century.

7. Reforming electoral systems is crucial for preserving democracy

America must reform its institutions. The early twentieth century American reformer Jane Addams once wrote, "The cure for the ills of Democracy is more Democracy."

Democratizing reforms. To address the threat of minority rule and restore faith in democratic institutions, the United States must undertake a series of reforms to make its political system more representative and responsive to popular majorities. These reforms should aim to bring U.S. democratic practices in line with other advanced democracies.

Key reform proposals:

• Abolishing the Electoral College in favor of direct presidential elections
• Reforming the Senate to be more proportional to population
• Implementing proportional representation for legislative elections
• Establishing independent redistricting commissions to prevent gerrymandering
• Instituting term limits or mandatory retirement ages for Supreme Court justices
• Making it easier to amend the Constitution
• Strengthening voting rights protections and easing voter registration

While many of these reforms face significant political obstacles, they are essential for creating a more robust and inclusive democracy. Advocates argue that by empowering majorities and ensuring fair representation, these changes would compel parties to broaden their appeal and reduce the incentives for antidemocratic behavior.

8. Mobilizing pro-democracy coalitions can safeguard democratic norms

Defending democracy is not the work of selfless heroes. Standing up for democracy means standing up for ourselves.

Civic engagement. Protecting and strengthening American democracy requires more than institutional reforms; it demands active citizen participation and the formation of broad pro-democracy coalitions. Historical examples, from the civil rights movement to recent mobilizations against authoritarianism, demonstrate the power of sustained civic action in defending democratic norms.

Strategies for democratic defense:

• Building diverse coalitions across ideological lines to isolate antidemocratic extremists
• Using legal and legislative tools to hold accountable those who violate democratic norms
• Engaging in voter education and mobilization efforts, particularly in marginalized communities
• Supporting independent media and fact-checking initiatives
• Promoting civic education to strengthen democratic culture

The emergence of new pro-democracy organizations and movements in recent years offers hope for American democracy's resilience. However, sustaining these efforts requires ongoing commitment from citizens who recognize that democracy's survival depends on their active participation. As the authors argue, the work of building a truly multiracial democracy now falls to the current generation, and future generations will hold them accountable for their efforts or lack thereof.

Last updated: November 20, 2024