Government Essay: Interpreting 'Democracy Dies in Darkness' Concept

This essay delves into the profound implications of the phrase 'Democracy Dies in Darkness' in the context of contemporary American democracy. The author argues that the transformation of American democracy into a capitalist democracy, coupled with the pervasive influence of propaganda and marketing in politics, poses significant challenges. The essay explores the decline of partisanship, the changing nature of political discourse due to social media, and the increasing influence of money in elections. It highlights concerns about media freedom, government accountability, and the control exerted by corporate interests. The author suggests that the phrase reflects a decline in the role of media as a pillar of democracy and questions the government's handling of citizens' privacy. Furthermore, the essay touches upon the influence of economic factors and the rise of left-wing economic policies, as well as the diminishing impact of public opinion on policy outcomes. The essay concludes by emphasizing the difficulties faced by citizens in making their voices heard by the government.

Democracy Dies in Darkness
INTRODUCTION
TO
GOVERNMENT
Democracy Dies in Darkness

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Democracy Dies in Darkness
According to my view this line has a deep meaning when it comes to understanding the
changing nature of the American democracy. In today’s time American democracy is
transforming into a capitalism democracy where the propagandas have taken the marketing
routes and has greater influence on the political thinking of the people. I believe this line
suggests the fact that there is constant decrease in partisanship which has been an essential
path bearer of democracy especially in terms of democratic participation. In the time when
the social media is playing one of the biggest roles ever in the American democracy, the
nature of discourse has changed. Current political issues such as losing faith of the people in
their elected representatives and hence ideologies have gone at stake (Carney, 2017). In
democracy ideologies had bigger role to play but in today’s time, almost all the ideologies are
at verge of extinction (Friedman, 2017). There is undoubtedly the highest use of money
power in the election. It is not the ideologies that are winning these days but the person with
better marketing is winning in different states. Governments every day is becoming less
accountable towards the public and the media is not asking the questions to the government
that they should have asked.
I believe that this statement is also in the form that media in U.S. is not as much free as it
was. Corporates are running both media and government policies. This can be seen by
observing the decisions of the U.S. congress. It is seen that media houses are not acting as a
pillar of democracy to raise the voice of the people. I believe the way in which government in
U.S. in controlling and playing with the privacy of the people is not in the interest of the
democracy. With the type of fake news and wrong prerogatives given to false headlines, the
first two words (“Democracy dies”) of the phrase are explaining it. I also believe that in the
liberal capital states like U.S. it is hard to find free and unbiased media (Concha, 2017).
I also believe that the policy making and decision making of the country has shifted into the
hands of the business man. U.S. congresses and its representative’s behaviours also reflect the

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Democracy Dies in Darkness
fact that capitalist powers are standing behind their back. The prime example of it can be seen
through the president Donald Trump only. Due to the lack of pace in the American economic
growth even the electorates are becoming more sympathetic to left wing economic policies
(Levitz, 2019). Many partisan voters do not have strong intrinsic preferences on many of the
economic issues which often appear to be more technical than moral. I also believe that in
today’s time public opinions are becoming fickle and have a lower amount of influence on
the outcomes related to policy. In today’s time it is getting difficult for the people to make
governments hear their voices and actually convince them to make efforts against it.

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Democracy Dies in Darkness
References
Levitz, Eric. “America’s Political Mood Is Now the ‘Most Liberal Ever Recorded’”.
Intelligencer. 8th June 2019. Web. 24th July 2019.
<http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/06/americas-political-mood-is-now-most-
liberal-ever-recorded.html>
Concha, Joe. “The Washington Post: 'Democracy dies in darkness'”. 22nd February 2017.
Web. 24th July 2019. < https://thehill.com/homenews/media/320619-the-washington-
post-democracy-dies-in-darkness>
Friedman, Nancy. Motto in the news: “Democracy Dies in Darkness”. Fritinancy. 23rd
February 2017. Web. 24th July 2019. <
https://nancyfriedman.typepad.com/away_with_words/2017/02/motto-in-the-news-
democracy-dies-in-darkness.html>
Carney, Timothy. 'Democracy dies in darkness': The Washington Post's odd habit of omitting
politically awkward storylines. 13th June 2017. Web. 24th July 2019. <
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/democracy-dies-in-darkness-the-washington-
posts-odd-habit-of-omitting-politically-awkward-storylines>