Would We Fight?
Ukraine Is Battling to Save Its Democracy. Would America do the Same?
The war in Ukraine is nearing its second month with no end in sight. President Zelensky says as many as 3,000 of its soldiers have been killed while the civilian death toll is incalculable. A country that until recently few Americans could place on a map has become a moral exemplar to the world in what is arguably the most clearcut example of a justifiable war since World War II. Ukraine is fighting to preserve its sovereignty but also to preserve a democracy that has only existed for 30 years. And while the U.S. government aids Kyiv with money and weapons, and ordinary Americans praise Ukraine’s bravery, the war raised a troublesome question: Would we do the same?
In 2020 — a banner year for presidential elections in the 21st century — only two-thirds of eligible Americans bothered to vote. In off-year ballots, we’re lucky to reach 50%. And the future bodes ill, with Republican battling any measure that could bring more Americans to the polls. A third of Americans can’t name a single branch of government, according to a survey by the University of Pennsylvania, and a comparable percentage have no idea what rights the First Amendment protects.
In the aftermath of 9/11 — the first attack on U.S. soil since Pearl Harbor — Bush didn’t call for national sacrifice of even higher taxes to pay for a war against terror. Famously, he urged the country to go shopping. And while more Americans donned camouflage gear, bought guns and waved flags, few actually enlisted to battle our purported enemies. Whatever you may think about the validity of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, only about 1% of Americans actually fought there. When was the last time Congress declared war? 1941.
Maybe we’re just lucky. Our country has never been invaded. In the years since the Civil War, civilians have never been bombed, or tortured or imprisoned. We can flaunt our bravery and patriotism, but talk is cheap. Only a handful of us have ever been called upon the walk the walk.
Autocracy is on the rise world-wide, including in the U.S. Millions of Americans favor a “strong man” for president. It’s hardly a secret that many corporate interests admire China, a country where businesses can make billions so long as they don’t criticize the government and where unions, free speech and protests are outlawed.
American democracy will mark its 250th anniversary in a few years — a quarter of a millennium — making it by among the oldest continual democracies. But as Ukraine has demonstrated, democracy is a fragile thing. More than two centuries ago, Benjamin Franklin was asked if the U.S. would be a monarchy or a republic. “A republic,” Franklin said. “If you keep it.” Can we keep? Time will tell.
