The notion of America becoming a nation ruled by a dictator feels paradoxical. After all, America was built on democracy – a system born of European revolutions. In France, for instance, impoverished peasants united in furious revolt against the ruling aristocracy and monarchy, armed with little more than knives, pitchforks, sharp sticks, and anything they could find, fighting to break free from subjugation and poverty at the hands of their wealthy oppressors. It was a revolution – a violent takeover of government. As Charles Dickens famously began his timeless novel, A Tale of Two Cities, “It was the best of times…it was the worst of times,” capturing the turmoil and transformation of France during that era.

“Let them eat cake” is the most famous quote attributed to Marie Antoinette, the queen of France during those turbulent times. According to the story, this was her dismissive response when informed that her starving peasant subjects had no bread. Outraged by such insensitivity and the deep insult to their undeserved poverty and suffering, the peasants rose up in arms, chanting: “Liberté, egalité, fraternité.” This slogan encapsulated the core ideals of the revolution: freedom for all citizens (“Liberty”), equal rights and treatment (“Équality”), and a sense of unity and brotherhood (“Fraternity”).

The rest is history. The king was overthrown, and the abusive, insensitive Marie Antoinette was publicly beheaded. France became a free nation, emerging as a global symbol of democracy.

Many events unfolded after that earth-shaking upheaval. Yet, history took an ironic turn when, after the monumental overthrow of the monarchy, the dictatorship returned with the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte. He successfully staged a coup d’état against his fellow revolutionaries, seeking to become the new dictator. However, democracy eventually triumphed once more and has largely reigned supreme since then.

Democracy originated in Athens around 350 BC, making it the first Greek city-state to transfer power from a singular authority, like a king or tyrant, into the hands of its citizens. Its rise as a form of government was revolutionary and iconoclastic for its time. It directly challenged the prevailing system of rule, where emperors, kings, and monarchs singularly governed wherever civilization thrived. This radical concept of citizen governance took many years to evolve and spread, eventually taking root in places like France and America.

In the 1600s and 1700s, Europeans arrived in North America seeking religious freedom, economic opportunities, and political liberty. Their journey to America and the reasons for leaving Europe ran parallel to the quest for liberty unfolding in France. On July 4, 1776, British settlers declared independence from British sovereignty with the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Just a few years later, in 1789, France followed suit by overthrowing its monarchy.

Historical accounts tell us that British settlers established 13 colonies along the East Coast of North America. Later, after winning independence, these colonies became the 13 original states. But such a summary oversimplifies the story. The real tale, one that every serious student of democracy should explore, lies in how the colonists achieved independence from the British Crown and formed those states. It’s a story of individual struggles, visionary leaders, and the determined fight for freedom from the monarchy. The colonists sought freedom from the burdens of tribute and taxation to a distant mother country across the Atlantic, and in doing so, carved out their place in the global landscape as a free and independent nation.

Indeed, it was this dream of freedom and independence that inspired the founding fathers of what is now the United States. These political leaders played pivotal roles in forming the New Republic. John Adams, for example, was one of the few Founding Fathers who did not own enslaved people, believing the Revolution would not be complete until all were free. Benjamin Franklin championed the belief that the colonists should not pay taxes to Britain without having a say in how the money was spent or how the colonies were governed. Alexander Hamilton, through his Federalist Papers, helped shape the legal foundation of the new nation, emphasizing the value of equal justice for all under the law – a principle that meant no one was above the law. Thomas Jefferson, another key figure, authored a bill establishing religious freedom, which was enacted in 1786. And George Washington became the first president of a democratic America.

The American Constitution begins with four simple words, “We, the People…” but within them lies the heart and soul of democracy. Once democracy took root in America, it flourished, spreading across the globe as a guiding doctrine. This democratic ideal often supplanted previous systems of rule, shaping governance even in nations affected by foreign occupation.

From its founding, America faced significant struggles, the greatest of which was the Civil War which threatened the nation’s very foundation over the issue of slavery. However, when the war ended and the country was reunited, peace and prosperity followed. America rose to become a global power, both in military strength and economic influence. It fostered the largest middle class in the world, creating a standard of living with a per capita income that ensured a comfortable life for its citizens.

For more than 200 years, America experienced peace and political stability. Presidents were elected, their terms ended, and power was peacefully transferred from one elected leader to the next. Initially, multiple political parties existed, but over time, movements and ideologies consolidated into two major parties: the Democratic Party and the Republicans. The differences in beliefs, policies, and convictions between these parties can be complex and puzzling. Ron Elving of NPR observes, “This is not just a quibble over terms. It is a fundamental battle over what American government aspires to be. Are we a democracy where the voice of the people is – as it says in Latin, Vox Populi, Vox Dei – the voice of God? Or are we a republic? That is to say, a government of laws not of men, deriving its authority not by divine right of inheritance or strength of arms but by reason and by adherence to the mechanisms of the Constitution.” One could spend a whole day debating this and still find both concepts compelling. Both democracy and republic emphasize that power should not rest in the hands of a single individual. The principle that “no one is above the law” underpins both systems. This foundational understanding has guided American governance for 248 years, providing both reassurance and inspiration.

Now comes a presidential aspirant boldly declaring that he will be a dictator on Day One of his administration. He proclaims it not hesitantly or cautiously, but with braggadocio, as if with trumpets blaring. Horrific???. Even more ghastly is that his loyal followers cheer him on, not just enthusiastically, but victoriously. Is this not shocking?

Many well-meaning individuals have struggled to understand this perplexing phenomenon – how friends, even family members, could be drawn to support a convicted felon with a long history of criminal accusations. How can they choose to elect an aspiring dictator as the leader of a nation that stands as the bedrock of democracy?

One insightful social media user suggests that those who support him see him not as a lighthouse, providing guidance, but as a mirror – reflecting their own shameless yet self-serving desires. However, even this explanation falls short. I know from childhood individuals with unquestionable character, records of empathy, and acts of charity – yet they choose him anyway. Perhaps some things can never be fully explained. All I can hope is that the strength of numbers will ultimately prevail for America…one day more.

The header image of the January 6, 2021 U.S. Capitol attack (credit: Vanity Fair article dated January 12, 2021)