Citizenry Participation in Times of Political Turmoil

By: Amil Imani

November 4, 2024

The political landscape of America has grown more divisive and tense over the last couple of decades. Polarizing views on government policies, social issues, and the interpretation of the Constitution have led many citizens to question the direction in which the nation is heading. This period of political discord poignantly illustrates the critical need for healthy civic engagement in its many forms, including—but not limited to—voting, education, and active community involvement. Democratically, civic engagement enables citizens to steer government activities toward policies, social concerns, and economic fairness in a decentralized way.

In periods when political situations become turbulent, being a citizen means much more than casting votes every few years; rather, it is a time for active, informed involvement in public life. Such engagement helps keep the government accountable and ensures democracy serves the will of all the people, not just a select few. It is only when a citizen understands how an overreaching government, along with shifting values and political ideologies, can affect freedom and national identity that they are prepared to make informed decisions, advocate for change, and thereby sustain democracy both in spirit and in practice.

Government tyranny, historically defined, is the oppressive or unjust use of power by those in authority.

The American founding is rooted in an innate resistance to tyranny derived from colonial experiences under British rule. The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were designed to protect citizens against increasing power, which could have been a suicidal ingredient in eroding individual freedoms. History reminds us that resistance to such trends is essential for preserving liberty when the government forgets constitutional rights.

The last few decades have seen glaring government overreach against Democratic administrations. Examples include expanded surveillance policies under the Patriot Act, controversial expansions of executive authority, and healthcare mandates perceived as intrusive to personal choice. Such extensive government intrusion into citizens’ private lives, at the expense of individual freedoms, under the pretext of protecting or benefiting the public, can sometimes result in a perceived trespass on civil liberties.

Active citizen monitoring of government policies and practices is more important today than ever, especially in large settings. This vigilance requires people to be more aware and take action by informing themselves about policies, raising their concerns, and engaging in discussions about government behavior. Freedom can be further secured through civic engagement tools such as public forums, online petitions, and peaceful protests, keeping things open and accountable. The more people are informed and involved, the more democratic their country will be, and this will serve as a damper on the tendency of government power to trespass on the rights of its subjects.

Sketched within this divide over the last couple of years—especially under administrations such as those of Obama and Biden—lies a noticeable shift in policy approaches and priorities, placing greater emphasis on a more significant and expansive governmental role in areas traditionally managed at the state or local levels, according to many critics. Among other issues, federal power has been extended to healthcare reform, economic stimulus packages, and environmental regulations—all of which have sparked debate about their consistency with the principles of limited government and personal responsibility.

The destruction of traditional American values, which persist in the principles enshrined in the Constitution, has led to the erosion of long-held cultural beliefs about family, religion, and freedom of speech. These cultural shifts encourage fears about what this could mean for the future of American identity. However, open discourse and a commitment to sustaining constitutional rights, as society continues to evolve, will allow these values to endure.

Civic engagement plays a vital role; citizens must advocate for the re-election of these principles in government actions and policies.

The policy debates emphasize the necessity of citizens weighing and engaging with the ideologies informing national policy.

To this, the Republican Party adopts a more moderate outlook: limiting government intervention to a minimum, reducing taxes, and promoting individual rights. Republicans advocate for a free-market economy and personal responsibility. Unlike the Democrats’ emphasis on state-driven approaches, the Republican perspective clings to beliefs in the power of individuals and their communities to effect change. The party attracts those wary of centralized authority during a time of political turmoil through its defense of traditional American values and limited government. This ideological gap presents a clear choice to the electorate. It also underlines the role of civic involvement in the party platform and policy articulation: through civic engagement, the people ensure that both parties remain true to American values and ideals by pressing for answers that effectively balance freedom and progress.
The political tension America is experiencing today indicates that passive observation will no longer suffice.

By actively participating in democratic processes, citizens ensure that government activities reflect their values and that power is a privilege granted by the people, not an authority imposed upon them.

Each citizen has responsibilities to embrace, including voting, being well informed, voicing opinions for policy change, and holding leaders accountable. History has repeatedly proven that democracy works best when the public participates.
Participation during political unrest is a duty and a shield for freedom and democracy, perpetuating the nation’s founding principles for generations.