How to ensure democracy survives

History is testimony to the fact that the wrong people, in positions of political power, cause havoc. We are seeing the repeating cycle today with Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, Benjamin Netanyahu and others, a handful of men actively working to destroy the work that decades of good leaders put in place to move the world closer to global unification.

If we accept that this cycle of dictatorial leaders is "just the way it is", then of course that complacency and apathy will make it possible for such men to rise to power again and again.

So, what is the missing link? What is the fault in our democratic systems, such as in the U.S.A. and even Israel, that dictatorial regimes can come into power - a complete contradiction to the very paradigm itself?

One could argue that it is hit and miss - that a democratic society, by its nature, makes it possible for anyone to step up to the plate - but I offer another perspective, because in fact, men like Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu should never have been permitted into positions where they could abuse the power and weaponize their nations against others.

Let’s leave Russia and North Korea out of this discussion, because these nations have NEVER known true democracy - Russia has only known Czars and dictators for centuries, and North Korea was turned into a subservient nation of slaves by a single family who has ruled it with an oppressive hand for decades.

In the case of democratic societies such as the U.S.A. and Israel, what is missing? How can the system allow dictators to rise to power?

Consider this; in these nations, as in others, to become an engineer who builds bridges, skyscrapers, ships etc., one must pass stringent requirements in schooling and testing before being licensed. To become a pilot responsible for flying commercial flights one must have thousands of hours of flight time and pass extremely demanding testing before being permitted to fly planes responsible for lives. It is the same with doctors, surgeons, on and on, society has learned that with most professions, there are certain MINIUM criteria which MUST be met before licensing people to operate in such fields, but NO SUCH STANDARDS EXIST FOR CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR PRESIDENCY, in either the U.S.A. or Israel, nor even other nations.

In other words, a criminal, with a known history of tax evasion, of sexual debauchery, someone who incites crowds and followers to violence, and who spreads racism and hate, can become the President of the United States simply and ONLY based on rhetoric and popularity. In other words, there is no bar that exists, no bottom line requirements which demand an acceptable level of ethics, demonstrable performance, respect and adherence to the law, and demonstrable regard for the democratic rights of ALL people - nothing. Essentially, you can become the President of either of these nations with enough popularity votes and enough campaign funding to drown out the opposition.

Is that democracy, or idiocy at work?

Let’s go back to the example of the pilot - would you step into a plane with a pilot who was not certified to fly it?

Would you allow yourself to be operated on by a surgeon who was never certified?

Would you buy a house built by someone who had no license to do so?

The answers are obvious, and yet, democratic nations are permitting people to rise to power, who have met ABSOLUTELY NO basic requirements to ensure that the wrong types do not take power.

The fault in our democratic systems is quite simple - there is no bar, no fail-safe system built in so that the PEOPLE, whom candidates would ultimately serve, have the power to say NO; I will not fly in a plane with that guy, I will not let that surgeon operate on me or someone I love, and I will not let that guy become my president - not based on prejudice or false standards, but on a certain a bar, a bottom line, because if that bottom line existed in the American political machinery - Donald Trump would never have passed the first stage; Netanyahu would have been stopped at the doors, and democracy would not be threatened by two nations who should be protecting it, not threatening it.

This does not require a major change in political platforms, it simply requires that a system be put in place which requires that anyone running for positions of political power, have a demonstrable history of production and success, are not criminals and are people who are demonstrably supportive of all people’s rights - not just by mouthing the words, but as clearly shown in their history, their ACTIONS, and not their rhetoric and false promises.

We must remember too that dictators are essentially sociopathic types, and one of the benchmark qualities of a sociopath is their ability to pretend, to act, to put on a false front and they are pathological liars too - which is why one can NEVER measure their authenticity or sincerity by the words coming out of their mouths - one can ONLY see past their facade by demanding they meet certain standards - and it is those standards which betray their true nature.

If you are doubting the veracity of these words, ask yourself this; have you ever met or heard of a sociopathic firefighter? It sounds like an odd question, but here is where the rubber meets the road, because firefighters put their lives on the line every day to save other's lives, and by the nature of that job, they are required to help others, and that is a quality that a sociopath simply does NOT possess - they will never put their lives on the line for anyone - quite the opposite, they expect others to put their lives on the line for them - which is why behind nearly every war will be found a sociopath campaigning a false agenda, and demanding that YOU go spill your blood for them.

If we want to protect democracy in the future, this fault in our social matrix must be fixed, otherwise, sociopaths and dictators will continue to threaten and diminish democracy and freedom.

Réal Laplaine

Author of high-concept thrillers

www.reallaplaine.com