Over the past decade, American democracy has witnessed a pronounced breakdown in foundational political norms, posing deep challenges to the rule of law and free and fair elections, while eroding trust in government. The spread of dangerous extremism has been accompanied by a real or perceived permission structure that helps spur political threats and violence. Just weeks ago, the nation witnessed an assassination attempt against a presidential candidate—simultaneously shameful and unsurprising in this incendiary political environment.
A course correction is necessary. This article recommends several ways that Americans across the ideological spectrum, including political leaders, can implement a fundamental reset of political norms that respect the rule of law and the U.S. Constitution; promote civil and truthful discourse; build trust in elections and peaceful transfers of power; and stop the political violence that flourishes when those norms are weak. Americans must reject the instinct to retreat to partisan corners and instead unite to do the hard work that this tumultuous moment in history demands.
Challenges to the republic are not new. The United States has experienced other periods when the rule of law and civil discourse have broken down, resulting in chapters of political violence that include the Civil War and the assassinations of four presidents. Over the past several years, the nation has again witnessed significant challenges to the rule of law, with profound threats to our participatory democracy, free and fair elections, and peaceful transfers of power. For example, on January 6, 2021, rioters waged a deadly siege at the U.S. Capitol, temporarily stopping the peaceful transfer of presidential power after former President Donald Trump urged them to march to the Capitol. Speaking about the January 6 riot, a far-right congresswoman said that if she had led the rioters, they would have been armed and “would have won.” Recently, the U.S. Supreme Court jettisoned nearly 250 years of precedent to bestow sweeping legal immunity for presidents’ official acts in office.
This breakdown in the rule of law and norms surrounding elections has led to political leaders increasingly normalizing dangerous rhetoric and violent threats, aided by a social media ecosystem that allows for easy spread of lies about elections and candidates. A mainstream culture of violence permits political leaders to use dehumanizing language to stoke social grievances. Some leaders even suggest using Second Amendment gun rights against perceived opponents. In a 2023 report, the FBI and DHS reported that violent white supremacists “continued to pose the most consistent threat of lethal and non-lethal violence against religious, cultural, and government targets.”
Lawbreaking rhetoric or behavior is not limited to one side. In 2022, someone attempted to assassinate a U.S. Supreme Court justice following a court decision limiting abortion rights. A year earlier, a Democratic congresswoman exhorted followers to “get more confrontational” during racial justice protests. In 2017, an individual with a history of lashing out at Republicans shot five people including then-House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA).
There has been a significant increase in incidents of political violence since 2016. In 2023 alone there were 8,008 threats against members of Congress from both parties. Violent threats also target public servants including judges and election officials; as many as 39 percent resigned in 2022 due partly to record numbers of threats.
Although Americans broadly support robust debate and peaceful protest an increasing number accept political violence as means "to save" their country—more than two-thirds believe their republic is under threat while almost half expect future election losses will result in violence.
When baseline norms weaken communities suffer silencing important voices chilling public service participation risking both health safety thus eroding trust hovering near all-time lows with many now open towards autocracy.
American politics urgently needs resetting through four fundamental principles:
- Respect for Constitution & Rule Law
- Civil Truthful Discourse
- Free Fair Elections Peaceful Transfers Power
- Rejection Political Violence Intimidation
Cementing these norms benefits every American rebuilding societal trust increasing confidence encouraging greater respect reducing harmful extremism endangering life.
There are nonpartisan actions patriotic Americans can take reinforcing guiding principles:
1) Embrace model acceptable behavior building movements prioritizing strong democracy rooted Rule Law Constitution.
2) Publicly condemn violations eliminating underlying permission structure emboldening lawbreakers.
3) Police own calling out usual allies violating laws norms using threats dehumanizing language.
4) Prioritize swift accountability sending deterrent message rebutting permission structures.
5) Promote stronger civic education engagement debate building institutional process trust teaching identifying trusted information sources countering disinformation misinformation.
6) Dedicate resources protecting elections bolstering security integrity educating public trustworthy processes supporting officials across party lines.
7) Strengthen support certification processes clarifying nondiscretionary duties opposing weakening rules compelling valid results certifications updating relevant laws achieving bipartisan consensus finalizing results.
8) Implement structural reforms reducing polarization extremism ending gerrymandering combining open primaries ranked choice voting fostering consensus civil debate.
Given precarious national moments honoring democracy exercising renewal bridging differences taking productive steps collectively setting healthy norms rejecting cultures allowing lawbreaking flourishing preventing democratic ship sinking mutiny onboard.
