Can American Democracy in the 21st Century Be Saved?

Gabriella Novak

“Whenever Democratic norms are shattered, they’re very hard to reassemble. We will have to have the national will to say ‘we don’t want presidents exerting this much power. We do want checks and balances.’ Whether that’s where public sentiment will be or not, I don’t know.” – David Axelrod.

Former Senior Advisor to President Obama, David Axelrod, underscores the fragility of democratic institutions and the need for public resolve to preserve them. As democratic backsliding becomes more evident in the United States, we must consider whether we are witnessing a fundamental realignment of power structures—not only domestically but also globally— would could potentially transform the principles by which states interact, govern, and safeguard fundamental freedoms in the 21st century. 

The United States possesses a unique form of external political power unmatched around the world. Yet, growing internal political division signals to the global community that the U.S. may no longer prioritize political harmony or the democratic values it once championed. This erosion opens the door to authoritarianism at home and weakens the very international order the nation once helped construct. The critical question is whether American democracy can endure when its president openly embraces anti-democratic rhetoric and policies—and is met not with repudiation, but with steadfast support. What strategies might ensure the preservation of American democracy?

 One thing is for certain: Trump knows how to speak directly to a large section of the American electorate, serving as a figure of understanding, defiance, and even a savior for those who feel alienated and underrepresented by the American political system. Despite his empty and unrealistic promises, his foundation of faithful supporters remains deeply loyal, drawn to his rhetoric and also to his policies. On the contrary, Axelrod believes, “Democrats approach working people like missionaries and anthropologists. We say we’re here to help you become more like us. There is a message of disdain that is attached to that which is well felt. There’s a cultural divide and an attitude of moral superiority…There are fundamental problems that have to be addressed, and the party has to be bolder in addressing them.”

The demonizing of the Republican Party has never been an effective tactic for the Democrats. Rather, it weakens the party. Therefore, the Democratic Party should learn from the strengths of the Trump administration. To secure democratic institutions, the Democratic Party must begin with a clearer understanding of the appeal of populist leaders, not by replicating their authoritarian tendencies, but by redirecting the party’s rhetoric to acknowledge the dislocation felt by many voters and offering concrete avenues for political agency. This means abandoning elitist postures and reorienting the party’s message toward material inclusion, community voice, and institutional trust. It requires treating voters not as misguided subjects to be converted, but as partners in shaping a more equitable and responsive political order. Many Americans feel that their values, identities, and ways of life are being pushed to the margins. Dismissing these concerns as ignorance or bigotry only deepens the divide. Hence, while faced with a government focused on securing our borders, the American people must focus on overcoming ours through a shared commitment to the rule of law and a sense of mutual respect. The message of understanding must be strong, unlike that of the current Democratic Party, but the commitment to unity must be stronger, unlike what we’ve seen of President Trump’s administration. In the meantime, it is through the press, protest, and unity, through a sense of shared injustice, that we can preserve the fragile and fragmented base of liberal norms. Only then can America hope to reclaim its role as a champion of democracy in an overwhelmingly authoritarian world.