Is the United States Truly a Democracy? A Deep Dive

Show notes

As we get ready for the US Presidential inauguration, in this special episode, Professor Dr. Estariol de la Paz, Professor and Principal Investigator of the Hasso-Plattner Institute’s Digital Technology, Governance, and Politics research group, and Dr. Jamie Ranger, Postdoctoral Researcher in the same research group, come together to explore the nuanced question: Is the United States a democracy?

The hosts unpack the historical, political, and structural factors that have shaped America's democratic identity-or lack thereof. From the nation’s foundational inequalities, such as slavery and disenfranchisement, to its modern-day challenges, including wealth inequality, gerrymandering, and the influence of money in politics, this conversation critically examines the ideals and realities of democracy in the United States.

The discussion delves into frameworks used to define democracy, touching on concepts like liberal democracy, rule of law, and the evolving nature of equality. The hosts highlight systemic issues like voter suppression and institutionalized racism while critiquing mechanisms such as the Electoral College and the politicization of the Supreme Court. They also explore the global implications of America’s role as a “bastion of democracy”. Ultimately, the episode challenges listeners to reflect on their own values, identify their “red lines” for political action, and consider the fragility of democratic systems.

Whether you’re a political analyst or simply intrigued by the complexities of governance and democratic systems, this engaging episode provides a rich blend of historical context, expert analysis, and thought-provoking insights. The discussion not only examines the foundational flaws of American democracy but also offers a deeper understanding of how its evolution impacts global perceptions and democratic norms.

**Further reading/factchecks: **

1. On social identity and voting behaviour: https://iop.pitt.edu/sites/default/files/Elected_Officials_Retreat/2018/Mason_et_al-2018-Political_Psychology.pdf
2. On the disparity of electoral college votes: https://usafacts.org/visualizations/electoral-college-states-representation/
3. Presidential Power and the Modern Presidents: The Politics of Leadership from Roosevelt to Reagan by Richard E. Neustadt: https://books.google.de/books/about/Presidential_Power_and_the_Modern_Presid.html?id=elGozulX_o8C&redir_esc=y
4. On the Harris campaign financing and donations: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/17/us/politics/harris-campaign-finances.html
5. Voting Rights Act of was passed in 1965: https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/voting-rights-act
6. On Florida’s Laws Around Voting Rights: https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/florida-outlier-denying-voting-rights
7. On instances in which people with criminal convictions didn't know they were unelgible voted and were convicted for voter fraud
   https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/aug/25/florida-voting-fraud-charges-eligibility
8. On electoral laws in India, that demand that each voter is no more than 2km (1.2 miles) away from a polling booth https://www.aljazeera.com/gallery/2024/5/8/an-election-booth-inside-a-forest-in-india-for-just-one-voter
9. On why the US Elections are not a public holiday: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2024-10-31/why-isn-t-us-election-day-a-federal-holiday
10. On the claim that number of swing voters is incredibly small, and by far the biggest predictor of how you are going to vote is how your parents voted : https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/07/well/family/what-really-makes-us-vote-it-may-be-our-parents.html
11. On Florida being called for Al Gore before voting closed in panhandle https://edition.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/time/2000/11/20/close.html
12. On the Mandatory Voting Laws in Australia: https://www.aec.gov.au/about_aec/publications/voting/
13. Economist Intelligence Unit downgraded US to a flawed democracy: https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2024/03/21/why-america-is-a-flawed-democracy
14. On the Chinese idea of the peoples democratic dictatorship: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9780429286827-49/people-democratic-dictatorship-mao-zedong
15. The sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine has been a controversial issue in the U.S. criminal justice system for decades. Historically, under the 100-to-1 sentencing disparity established in the 1980s, the distribution of just 5 grams of crack cocaine triggered the same mandatory minimum federal prison sentence of 5 years as distributing 500 grams of powder cocaine. This policy disproportionately impacted Black communities and fuelled mass incarceration. While the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010 reduced this disparity to 18-to-1, significant inequities persisted. By 2021, organizations like the ACLU highlighted that these disparities remained problematic, perpetuating systemic injustices. On December 16, 2024, multiple congresspeople wrote a letter, urging President Biden to address this issue further by commuting sentences for individuals convicted under the old crack cocaine guidelines to reflect the penalties associated with powder cocaine offenses
16. On Supreme Court rulings of exercise of rights within “High Crime” vs “Low Crime Areas”: https://law.stanford.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/07-Alden-Website.pdf