“A Republic.... If. You. Can. Keep. It.”

by Politicalprof

These words, which Benjamin Franklin offered as the answer to a question about what kind of government the Constitutional Convention had created in 1787, are often quoted, and with good reason. They are just as often misunderstood.

Franklin’s statement is not a guarantee. It’s a warning. It’s a reminder that there is no “them” in a democracy or a republic that will solve the problems of the society on behalf of its citizens. They have to do it for themselves.

Franklin’s statement is, in other words, contingent. The “if” matters. The issue is in no way settled. If YOU can –CAN !! – keep it.

We are at an existential moment in our democracy. We have a charlatan and a thug and a kleptocrat about to become President. The Framers weren’t naive: they knew that was possible. They just figured the rest of the system would mobilize to oppose the authoritarian presidency and limit the damage he would do.

Unfortunately, they assumed such opposition would appear as a function of the Constitution’s programming. They thought the structural divides in interests and constituencies and experiences among the branches of government would make collusion impossible and allow only the least worst options to pass even if one of the branches of government went crazy.

Alas, we know better. We know that feckless Congresses (of whatever party; think the Iraq War) happily enable evil and stupid enterprises. We know that opposing parties will support the abuse of human rights and the passage of ridiculous economic and domestic policies if they think it is their short terms interests to do so.

As Franklin noted, it is up to us. IF … YOU … CAN … KEEP … IT.

IF.

Source
http://politicalprof.tumblr.com/post/155864380108/a-republic-if-you-can-keep-it