An Election for the Ages

Democracy Newsletter: October, 2024

By Robert Katz and Steve Zolno

Athenian Politician Pericles speaks to the Assembly. Painting by Philipp Foltz.

Going back to Ancient Greece and Rome — and even glimpsing at history prior to that time — there always has been a division among and within human beings about whether they are capable of self-governance or if it is best to cede leadership to an individual. Thus the quandary of whether democracy or authoritarian rule is preferable is rooted deep in the human psyche.
 
When we roamed in tribes the decision to give over authority for decision-making to a leader seemed easiest. But at some point we discovered human dignity, a place within that believes it knows right from wrong and seeks to function from that principle rather than allow another to determine our path.
 
That quandary continues in aspiring democracies around the world where “rule by the people” — always imperfect — still is an aspiration for some, but a lost hope for others. Our own country has teetered between leaders who would shape us in their image, and those who would lead based on respect for the democratic impulse in every person.
 
But never has the choice been clearer whether to cede our authority to someone who has told us he would suspend the Constitution from day one or a leader who would continue us on our imperfect path toward consensual governance.
 
Our guide to our current federal election makes our choice clear. There still are those who would vote for authoritarianism despite its ascendancy around the world in places where human rights and freedoms have been lost. We are also providing a tabulation of the most likely direction of the election if the current polls hold up.
 
The fate of the most successful democracy in history — that has served as a model for all the others — now is in the hands of its people. In a month’s time we will know if  ”government by the people” has survived.
 
For the vast majority of our readers — who live in California and the East Bay — guides to the current election are forthcoming.

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Robert Katz served as a staff attorney and supervising attorney at the California Supreme Court from 1993-2018. Before that he was in private practice representing public agencies, and worked as a newspaper reporter covering local government in Santa Cruz County.
 
Steve Zolno graduated from Shimer College with a bachelor’s degree in social sciences and holds a master’s in educational psychology from Sonoma State University. Steve has founded and directed private schools and a health care agency in the San Francisco Bay Area. He is the author of seven books.

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