Democrats Can Take Action to Protect Democracy
Democracy in America faces significant challenges, but Democrats hold more power than they might realize to defend democratic institutions. Despite feelings of helplessness in the face of authoritarian threats, Democrats actually possess substantial tools and opportunities to resist autocratic trends. The key lies in recognizing this power and using it strategically and courageously.
At both federal and state levels, Democrats maintain important positions of influence that can serve as bulwarks against democratic erosion. In Congress, they can leverage legislative procedures and oversight mechanisms to constrain anti-democratic actions. In states where they govern, Democrats can implement electoral reforms, protect voting rights, and establish legal guardrails that preserve democratic norms. These positions of power, while not absolute, provide critical avenues for meaningful resistance against autocratic tendencies that might otherwise go unchecked.
Beyond formal political positions, Democrats can work to strengthen civil society and democratic culture. This includes supporting independent journalism, civic education initiatives, and grassroots organizing that builds democratic resilience from the ground up. When citizens understand democratic processes and their rights, they become more engaged defenders of those institutions. Democrats can champion transparency in government, ethical standards for public officials, and accountability mechanisms that make it harder for would-be autocrats to abuse power. These cultural and social investments create a deeper democratic foundation that becomes more resistant to authoritarian pressure.
The judiciary remains another crucial arena where Democrats can defend democratic principles. By prioritizing the appointment of judges committed to constitutional rights and the rule of law, Democrats help ensure that legal checks on power remain viable. They can also support litigation strategies that challenge unconstitutional power grabs and defend voting rights. Even when not in control of judicial appointments, Democrats can advocate for court reforms that protect judicial independence and resist court-packing or other measures that would undermine the courts’ role as guardians of constitutional democracy. These judicial protections represent an essential component of any comprehensive strategy to preserve democratic governance.
Perhaps most importantly, Democrats must recognize that democracy requires courage and a willingness to take political risks. This means sometimes prioritizing democratic principles over short-term partisan advantage or political expediency. It means standing firm on core democratic values even when there are political costs. Democrats should be willing to use all constitutional tools at their disposal—from Senate rules to executive powers—to defend democratic institutions when they are under threat. This courage also extends to messaging: Democrats need to clearly articulate the stakes of democratic erosion and offer a positive vision of democratic renewal that can inspire public support and action.
The defense of democracy isn’t solely the responsibility of one political party, but Democrats currently stand as the primary institutional opposition to authoritarian trends in American politics. By recognizing their power, using it strategically, strengthening democratic culture, protecting judicial independence, and demonstrating political courage, Democrats can effectively resist autocratic movements. The path forward requires persistence, creativity, and commitment—but it is a path that exists and that can lead to the preservation and renewal of American democracy. Rather than resignation or enabling autocracy through inaction, Democrats can and must embrace their role as democracy’s defenders during this critical period in American history.
