Unity is Needed in the Face of Threatened Democracy

By Laura Alonso

The violent scenes at the US Capitol last week prove that we can never take democracy for granted, even in America. This violent attack should be a wake-up call for American citizens and democratic defenders worldwide: nurturing, breeding and cultivating democracy, its institutions and culture is a daily job.

Citizens have to work together with this clear in mind: no progress is made for anyone when democracy is under siege or hacked by the poison of populism and autocrats. The only safe haven for democracy is the Constitution and the law. Freedom, equal economic opportunity and social progress are only possible under democracy —

and democracy must be practiced every day by everyone.

It is not the first time in history that democracy has been challenged. But looking through history also shows that democracy has been resilient. I am confident that by working together, solutions will emerge. It is not going to be easy. It will take more than one administration. This is a historic moment for democracy, not just in the US, but also around the world.

The United States has served as a beacon of democracy for nations around the world for more than two centuries. And when those of us fight for the transparency and strong institutions we typically see in the U.S. threatened, it mars the image we hold dear, too. I have always supported liberal democracy worldwide and in my country, Argentina, and I will work with my fellow American citizens to restore peace and address those issues that divide Americans.

President Biden has a monumental task: to restore trust in liberal democracy at home and abroad. He will find friends everywhere — even amongst his political adversaries at home. Democracy is peace and through it, we have to solve disagreements and bring policy solutions to issues that create so much inequality and resentment.

To do this, women and civic education are key. Liberal democracy is the only system that has furthered — and can continue to further — the rights of women and minorities, alongside those of men and the elderly. Women leaders need to pave the way with respect to those that are confused by autocratic ideas and bring them back to the track of democracy. For those that were violent, justice will restore the lost peace. That is never the way.

The process will be slow and there will be setbacks, but leadership needs to be clear and determined.

A bi-partisan policy agenda in Congress is needed to show unity amid all democratic leaders (from both sides of the aisle) at the very beginning of the next administration. In my opinion, the Summit for Democracy projected by the President is more relevant than ever for the US and the world. And women must have a relevant seat (or many seats to be accurate) in that table.

Women are the battery of change.

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Laura Alonso is an Argentinian democracy and anticorruption advocate who served most recently as head of the Anticorruption Office under the administration of former president Mauricio Macri. Laura is a member of the Vital Voices Global Leadership Network.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any organization associated with the author.