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The Failing Essence of American Democracy and the Need for Reform

Stewart Carrell
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Stewart Carrell’s book, “American Democracy,” is a forthright argument for why the United States needs radical change to safeguard democratic values and continue world leadership

Stewart Carrell

While other societies happily embraced American democracy to hold great promise and set direction, in today’s world, American democracy is under tremendous siege. Notably, some of the essential institutional defects are pinpointed within Stewart Carrell’s critiques on American Democracy as well, and the necessity for reforms in all these aspects is emphasized. Carrell’s examination also highlights the critical tension between states’ rights and federal authority, a central issue in America’s ongoing struggle with democracy, which the review overlooks. Carrell argues that states’ rights, while a foundational principle, have hampered progress on issues like voting rights, healthcare and gun control, areas that would benefit from stronger federal oversight. Citing examples from the Constitution to campaign finance, healthcare and education, Carrell traces the decay of ideals, which formed the bedrock of American democracy, to an assortment of archaic institutions, capital within politics and other structural challenges. These focuses are analyzed in the article as well, while other relevant words that explain the rationale for change in the U.S., such as Artificial Intelligence, globalization and diplomacy, are also in the fore.

1. The Constitution of the United States: A Governing Document in Need of Updating

One of the world’s most respected documents is the United States Constitution, and yet, it has been virtually unchanged since its creation in 1789. The Constitution, according to Carrell, was originally written for a four-million-person population that is otherwise ill-suited for today’s challenges. The country is consisting of 50 states and 330 million citizens. These remnants of the outdated parts of the Constitution, including the Electoral College and states’ rights, have tended to create a system where minority rule not only tends to prevail but also slows down democratic fairness. Carrell emphasizes that states’ rights, a principle originally intended to protect regional interests, now complicate federal efforts to unify policies on critical issues like healthcare, education and criminal justice, exacerbating inequality and inefficiency. Thus, the call is to modernize constitutional aspects so that it can adapt to modern society. Changes in such a constitution are needed where power imbalances in favor of smaller states have to be addressed, and the provision of the Electoral College has to be abolished to introduce AI for strengthening electoral processes, making the whole system more transparent and fairer.

2. The Excessive Influence of Money and Wealth in American Politics

Another important threat to American democracy is money in politics. According to Carrell, in current terms, money equals influence. The billionaires and corporate lobbyists, along with special interest groups, end up wielding a lot of influence within the political process itself, and this can give rise to legislation characterized by fostering private interests rather than public interest. This has directly contributed to increasing wealth inequality among millions of Americans. Carrell argues that this corruption of democracy cannot be fixed without federal reforms that limit the ability of individual states to enact their own, often lax, campaign finance regulations.

Campaign finance reform, however, checks this influence by limiting the amount of donations and by reducing the term of the election campaign. This will check the corrosive effects of wealth on democracy. Carrell further recommends that Artificial Intelligence be used in tracking and managing campaign contributions to make the latter transparent and accountable.

3. A Critique of the Key Institutions of American Democracy

Carrell provides an in-depth critique of those very institutions defining American democracy. He analyzes those institutions that have contributed to the decline of the rule of law, the election system, public education and healthcare. These are institutions that are supposed to be the very safeguards of democracy but have become dysfunctional because of outdated policies, political polarization and economic inequality.

Rule of Law and System of Justice

The cornerstone of any effective democracy is the rule of law, which is often violated in America through both wealth and race. Carrell educates one on the systemic biasing of the judicial system, whereby a defendant who has more money is able to hire better legal counsel than a less wealthy defendant. He boasts that many more ‘underprivileged people’ receive harsher sentences for the same infractions in comparison to those who have more money. The reforms in the federal systems should be introduced to standardize sentencing so as to try to equalize justice for everyone regardless of one’s financial status.

In fact, even the Supreme Court has fallen prey to politics, with higher numbers of justices now voting along partisan lines. Carrell suggests term limits and strict recusal standards as a prescription to revitalize the legitimacy of that institution. The American election system is fraught with problems, from gerrymandering to voter suppression. This system essentially dis-franchises voters and hampers democratic participation. Carrell suggests that the Electoral College be abolished and that AI-driven systems may be introduced to track the elections, increase voter accessibility and reduce the circulation of misinformation. All these would go to protect the democratic process with newfound public trust in America’s elections.

The American Public School System

The American public education system has gradually deteriorated, with quality disparities between rich and poor districts expanding further. Schools that are underfunded and have outdated curricula are sending far too many students into the modern workforce. Carrell advocates for increased federal investment in education and AI to better the end results of learning and ensure equal opportunity for all students. He also stresses that states’ rights in education should be reconsidered, with more unified national standards to address the growing inequality in educational outcomes.

4. The American Healthcare System

Perhaps the costliest system in the world, it produces poor outcomes relative to peer nations. Millions of Americans still do not have insurance or are underinsured, and healthcare expenditures continue to increase dramatically. Carrell endorses a single-payer healthcare plan that brings access universally; healthcare needs to be a right instead of an amenity of the rich. Carrell also suggests that AI is going to revolutionize healthcare because it will reduce administrative costs, enhance diagnostic power and ensure proper care to patients at the right time. However, such reforms need to be incorporated, and ethical issues and patient privacy must be respected so that the healthcare industry cannot take undue advantage of their rights.

5. A Safety Net for the Least Fortunate

This land of plenty failed to create a safety net system that would protect its neediest members. It has over 40 million people living in poverty. It lacks services in housing, healthcare, education, etc. Carrell calls for reforms that will complement an increased number of government support programs into every American’s life so that each one can live with dignity.

6. Taxation and the American Tax Code

The tax system in America is way too complicated and riddled with loopholes that favor the rich alone. Corporations and the rich pay a lower rate of tax than middle-class Americans, thus compounding inequality. Carrell maintains that the tax code needs an overhaul so that it becomes less complicated, fairer and just. Closing the loopholes on taxes and capital gains will raise large revenues for huge services, such as healthcare and education.

7. America’s Absurd Love Affair with Guns

There is an oversupply of guns, far outperforming the population, and gun-related violence has been one of the obvious causes of death in America. Carrell described it as one of the greatest failures of American democracy, how an amendment that guarantees the right to bear arms has been grossly misused by politicians and other people in order to rationalize the existence of increased supplies of firearms. He recommends comprehensive firearms control legislation that includes the prohibition of assault weapons and rigorous background checks. Carrell goes further to recommend the use of AI-based systems that enforce background checks and trend forecasting in gun violence; this will reduce shootings and save more lives.

8. The Importance of the American Role in International Affairs

According to Carrell, weak foreign policy decisions and internal political instability significantly weakened America’s leadership in world affairs. The Vietnam War, the Afghanistan War, the Iraq War and the latest one in Gaza between Israel and Hamas have all deteriorated the position of America in the world arena. Most of these wars cost the nation precious human lives and huge financial resources but yielded little positive results. Carrell also criticizes the failure to address America’s strategic priorities through diplomatic channels, instead relying heavily on military interventions.

America needs to shift its focus from being militarily dominated to one of diplomacy that’s coexistence-oriented. Carrell argues for a foreign affairs policy focusing on internationalization, economic interdependence and strengthening of international institutions. China’s ascendance is both a challenge and an opportunity for the U.S. to test its mettle. If America is not to relinquish its position in world affairs and leadership, it has to engage China in the positive modes of diplomacy, not war.

9. The Most Alarming, Immediate Threat to American Democracy

This, however, is not the only and certainly not the most immediate and disturbing threat to American democracy. According to Carrell, the more threatening one is the growing polarization in American politics. The presidential election cycle of 2024, namely, the return of Donald Trump to power and the weak leadership of Joe Biden, will do little to assuage that threat. This political environment, Carrell argues, has prevented meaningful progress on crucial issues like AI, healthcare and education reform.

10. Military Might vs. Diplomacy and Coexistence

Revisiting America’s history of military intervention, from the Korean War to the Afghanistan War, Carrell claims these wars do more damage than good. Military interventions, in most cases, lead to long-drawn wars with no specified end, taking all the resources in each region and thereby creating instability in the regions concerned. Carrell talks of shifting the trend of mighty power and changing it to diplomacy and coexistence by saying that coexistence is of prime importance, along with a resolution of conflicts. He advocates for a reduction in military spending in favor of investment in diplomatic efforts, highlighting that resolving conflicts through negotiation and international cooperation is the path forward. Carrell warns that the continued focus on military solutions weakens America’s standing in global diplomacy, making it harder to forge alliances based on mutual respect rather than fear or dominance.

Conclusion: The Path Forward for American Democracy

From constitutional and campaign finance reform to gun control and healthcare reform, the future of American democracy hangs in the balance of bold systemic change. Carrell further argues that the integration of Artificial Intelligence and technology, if properly regulated, will be essential in creating a more transparent and accountable democracy. However, these innovations must be implemented carefully to avoid new ethical challenges and ensure they are aligned with democratic principles. Artificial Intelligence supports Carrell’s vision of an equitable, transparent and effective democracy in an increasingly complex and interconnected world. If America is to remain in the league of world powers with its principles of liberty, equality and justice intact, then it has no choice but to address this issue with urgency and resolve. Carrell concludes that without immediate reform, America’s influence and democratic values will continue to erode, leaving the nation vulnerable both domestically and on the global stage.

“American Democracy” by Stewart Carrell is available for purchase as a hardcover book or for the Kindle at amazon.com.

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