Twitter is a blunt force instrument. Instant certainty rules the realm. Visceral reactions reign. Rage resounds from deep within tribal echo chambers. Contempt for, and derisive demonization of, those who dare to disagree unleashes weaponized words, tweet storms and angry rants. There seems to be no space for nuance.
An understanding and appreciation for nuance is actually what the nation needs.
Wednesday, the Twitterverse was abuzz about the use of the term “democracy” as it relates to the American form of government. The particulars of the Twitter battle are less important than the principle of nuance and the reason for the republic.
A purely direct democracy is defined as majority rule. The United States of America, of course, is not a direct democracy. America is a constitutional republic with representative government. Over the years, democracy has become shorthand for constitutional democracy. Sometimes that creates confusion and conflict.
Social media tends to function as a majoritarian democracy, where the loudest voices and those with the most faithful followers, likes or retweets win. Representative republics are different. The nuance and distinction between the two matters.
Our representative form of government causes the nation to slow down and explore the nuances of principles and policies rather than emotionally reacting to a Twitter rant or the anger of unexpected circumstances. The checks and balances in America are built-in and the slower pace is by design. Checking and restraining those with the power of the majority while protecting the rights of those in the minority must be preserved in representative government.
Imagine if some of the most radical pieces of legislation (from both Democratic and Republican controlled congresses) supported by a mere majority in the House of Representatives bypassed both the Senate and the executive branch? The Senate, while filled with flawed politicians and way too much dysfunction, is still designed to serve as the cooling saucer for legislation sometimes rapidly brought to a boiling vote in the House.
And what if a form of rank democracy and majority rule alone spilled into many of the challenging issues of our day? The nuance found in a constitutional republic likewise serves as the cooling saucer when white-hot issues are sparked among the American people. If all that is required to rule is a simple majority, the result could produce the unchecked creation of new laws, elimination of certain rights and the rescinding of current laws. This would ultimately drive the country into chaos and collapse.
We have seen throughout the pandemic how easily many of America’s first freedoms and laws can be ignored or trampled upon in the emotion, clamor and confusion of a devastating moment. Sweeping actions occur when some lack respect for the nuances of the constitutional republic and the need to find common ground,
One example is the breathtaking declarations by some governments and communities that dangerously breached the laws protecting religious organizations from exercising their rights under the First Amendment. It is only a short hop from the breaching of those boundaries of limiting religious liberty to the full suppression of other First Amendment freedoms, including the freedom speech, the press and the right of the people peaceably to assemble.
Some say such radical shifts could never happen in America. Majority rule democracy could indeed allow such shifts to occur with sweeping consequences, instability and loss of rights for whomever is in the minority. Results will also include polar swings in laws, rights and protections on everything from immigration and health care to the Second Amendment and property rights.
Twitter is hardly the place to get to nuance. Nuance is found in our homes, families and communities. Nuance is never rushed. Nuance is always circumspect, humble and teachable.
Nuance has been subtly noticed and noted by the wise and neglected by passionate fools throughout history.
Words do have meaning. The meaning matters. Of course, individual votes and voters matter. The voice of the people must be heard. Recognizing the nuance in elevated dialogue and deeper debate is key as the nation works across the differences found in our constitutional republic.
If a simple majority ruled the land and reigned supreme, the fabric of the country would be rent forever.
This is why the master of nuance, Benjamin Franklin, when asked what the constitutional convention had given the people, responded with a powerfully nuanced reply. “A republic, if you can keep it.”