No population anywhere is reliably capable of consistently sound judgment.
But, generally, populations in affluent democracies are more so.
Yet in times of economic, political, or demographic disruption, even the normally rational populations of affluent democracies become more focused on seeking partisan advantage.
In times of mild disruption, interest groups seek partisan advantage in economic matters.
In times of aggravated polarization, they seek partisan advantage in political representation and access to power.
And in times of crisis, they seek partisan advantage in demographic matters, suppressing out-groups by tightening immigration, disenfranchisement, and, in extreme cases, expulsions, concentration camps, and genocide.
In other words, when demographic groups are rubbing along together well enough in times of prosperity, common interests and common goods are a sufficient uniting force. But when prosperity recedes or looks threatened, partisan interests become more pronounced and opportunities multiply for their exploitation by demagogues and networks of fanatics.
Madison Foresaw Times Like These
And, as Madison tells us (Federalist Papers, #10), even under the historically propitious circumstances of the British colonies of North America circa 1787, a well-designed constitution will be set up as if they cannot be relied upon.
3 Questions to Ponder
So, should the slogan “Trust in the People” be punctuated with an exultant exclamation mark or with a skeptical question mark?
And is that a theoretical issue or an empirical one? (For the significance of that distinction, see the preceding post on the Laffer Curve.)
And, finally, where is your nation on the comparative gradient of empirical circumstances?
When All Is Said and Dunn 