Sunshine Patriots

The following 10 years are likely an inflection point in the US. The American experiment is being challenged from the outside and, more importantly, from within.

One could even argue that the US, as laid out by its founders and its shared mythology, is in decline. But, that decline isn't primarily about Trump or Republicans, for that matter—though it is convenient to blame them for it all—it's because of you, dear reader, and your relationship with democracy, your neighbors, your community— and your general decadent attitude to society.

My argument makes several assumptions:

1. America is a decadent nation in decline.

   1. It is indulgent, entitled, and hyper-individualistic, with unclear and declining national identity and values.

2. Donald Trump is a symptom of this.

   1. The majority of Trump voters are not fascist/racist/whatever. They are regular people like you frustrated by an unresponsive system.

3. I do not believe that with Donald Trump’s election, democracy will end

4. I do think that electing Donald Trump will further erode democratic norms.

I also believe that American decadence manifests in an odd paradox: civic lethargy coupled with apocalyptic anxiety. We're simultaneously too comfortable to act and too anxious to think clearly. But let's test these doom predictions with a simple exercise:

The next few elections will be significant, but they all need to go sideways for the worst to come to pass. I think this is demonstratable: Just put 30 minutes aside— and you don’t even have to live in the US; pick a democratic nation, and put 30 minutes (or more) aside to write out what exactly would and must happen.

Then calibrate and figure out how much you’re willing to bet on the outcome you’re predicting happening. If you follow this process (writing to think and then betting to calibrate your thinking), you will quickly find we are not “there yet.” What many of us are experiencing is anxiety and fear. So, there are opportunities to redirect this train, but make no mistake; the danger is real.

There are individuals out there trying to divide us to drive our society towards collapse because they think they can reinvent it better. Understand that these people are in the minority, that they are agitators trying to convince you that you should be building siege towers and palisades, not bridges.

Harder doesn’t mean impossible. Americans can rediscover their national identity and values, create a new American dream, and rebuild and govern a thriving nation for all.

But on to the real question I have for you, dear reader.

Does any of this actually matter to you?

I’m legitimately asking!

What makes democracy and the US Constitution so essential?

Is it democracy you’re worried about, or is it your sense of security, stability, or freedom to act as you please?

Because those can be linked but aren’t the same thing, Rome not only survived the end of its republican era but thrived in many ways—as an empire—economically, intellectually, and culturally. The 200 years following Augustus (the adopted son of Julius Caesar, of Shakespearean fame and the first emperor of Rome), in particular, are considered a golden age.

Even today, we see examples of people thriving under autocratic or semi-democratic regimes. Look no further than Singapore for the latter or places like Guangzhou or Shenzhen for the former. Society and people can thrive and live good, meaningful lives without the sort of system you and I are used to. There’s just a trade-off: some degree of liberty for some degree of material comfort. Odds are, your commitment to democracy is currently much less forthright than you may be willing to admit.

When pressed, most people will choose material comfort over abstract principles. This isn't mere cynicism - history shows us that values without corresponding sacrifices are not values at all but mild preferences. And you know… that’s OK. But then why are you freaking out?

But maybe we’ve arrived here, and you still disagree. For one reason or another, you do believe democracy is essential. It aligns with your philosophy. Maybe you think in the founding myth of America, or perhaps you favor reforms. What is vital to you is that you want to live in a system where an elected official in some house or parliament represents your views and is elected freely and fairly. Where your rights are constitutionally protected, your speech is reasonably free today, and there is freedom of assembly, universal suffrage, and separation of power.

You want a tolerant, pluralistic society where all are equal before the law.

OK, let’s talk shop.

Sunshine Patriots

So, you believe democracy is essential.

Alright.

What are you doing to promote it?

Because showing up to stand in line for 90 minutes every four years and casting a vote will not get us there. Donating to political causes? Not going to do it. If that is all you do, buckle up; we’re in for a rude awakening.

What’s more, If you are talking about moving away because the election didn’t turn out how you wanted it to, guess what? You’re part of the problem. Heck, You are the problem. Whichever camp you belong to, odds are you’re educated. You’re likely middle class. You can speak reasonably well on current events. But you are not willing to put skin in the game. That’s too inconvenient.

You are showing that your values, as they pertain to democracy, only exist in so far that they don’t inconvenience you.

You are likely what Thomas Paine eloquently described as a Sunshine Patriot, the civic version of a fair-weather friend.

I recognize that life is challenging. We are pushed and pulled in a million directions, and the demands of work, family, and children make life difficult for many of us.

But if you say something is important but don’t act to defend the institution or the value you claim to hold—to promote it, protect it, and so on—it’s not a value, it’s not essential to you; it’s just nice to have.

And, of course, it should not take a heroic effort, year after year, to protect our institutions. It should not require a heroic effort. But you know… sometimes, it does.

Eventually, the good times end, corruption grows, and social values shift and… it requires heroic efforts.

I am asking you to take time to examine your values. Write this shit out. I can’t tell you what they are, but develop a personal philosophy and value system because that is what it will take to reverse this trend of decadence and decline.

A Revival

That proud tradition of American civic virtue many Americans like to reference? It wasn't built by people who just voted and went home. It was built by citizens who put skin in the game.

So, I am urging you to take some time to evaluate what is actually important to you and what your values are. What…

• Are you willing to risk for it?

• Are you willing to sacrifice for it?

• And how are you going to promote these values?

Me?

I follow virtue ethics. My philosophy is heavily informed by stoicism, so I try to prioritize courage, justice, self-discipline, and the wisdom to apply them effectively. To me, democratic egalitarianism is highly preferable.

What traits do you value in others and yourself? What sort of society do you want to live in? Is democracy essential to that life?

If so, recognize that Voting will not cut it, and neither will donating money (unless your checks are so large they can fund the entire operation). You have to go out and espouse your values and live them—even (especially) if they are inconvenient to you. You must be willing to put skin in the game.

Recognize that it’s not a value unless you’re willing to risk losing something to promote it. Values suggest a willingness to sacrifice in service to something you believe to be greater than your own immediate wants and needs.

Look, I’m not arguing one should walk out on one's family, live in one's car, and drive town-to-town to volunteer for local elections. I am arguing that one should take time to determine one’s values and then work out the sort of proportional commitment one is willing to make to advance them. That is to say— how much (time, money, etc.) are you willing to sacrifice to advance them?

Sticking with the example of democracy, it takes effort—it’s ongoing civic engagement. A civil society, a high-trust society, a cosmopolitan society takes effort. and work. from its citizenry.

There are a multitude of ways to help, contribute, and promote. The most important thing you can do is recognize that you must participate because society does not exist in a vacuum. Right now, values that are anti-democratic, anti-cosmopolitan, and anti-egalitarian are going mainstream. Without people like you getting off the bleachers and participating, those with values opposing yours will win because what we have and our forefathers built is not inevitable. It takes care, effort, and participation.

So participate: Speak with your Trumpy (or Bideny) neighbor and try to understand what makes them tick. Write op-eds (or a blog) and put your ideas out there. Start a podcast. Organize. Volunteer—it doesn’t have to be political. Go help out at the soup kitchen and build community! Engage in the marketplace of ideas and get your thinking and ideas out there.

However you define virtue, whatever you may choose to do, decide to put skin in the game, because that’s how you build societies.

Or shut up and sit down because you’re not a serious person. That’s OK, too. Just please, stop endlessly complaining about things you’re unwilling to engage with.