Opinion: America is a major world-stage target in anti-democracy propaganda

The journalist and historian Anne Applebaum, who writes in The Atlantic magazine, recently described the influence of propaganda against democracy in the world, with America as the major target. The propaganda is sophisticated and has become more so with the use of artificial intelligence. A special reason to be on guard is that the propaganda is specifically designed to appeal to right-leaning people, such as MAGA Republicans, and generally to discredit democracy and freedom around the world. In addition, the sacrificial struggle of Ukraine against Russia is strongly undermined.

Ms. Applebaum emphasizes that democratic ideas have had a real appeal around the world. In response the Chinese government distributed their “Document No. 9,” which speaks of the perils faced by the Chinese Communist Party: “Western constitutional democracy,” “universal human rights,” “media independence,” “judicial independence” and “civic participation.”

The document asserts that “Western forces hostile to China,” together with dissidents inside the country, “are still constantly infiltrating the ideological sphere.” This shows that the struggle for people to enjoy democratic freedoms begins with the realm of ideas. Thus, America is basically an idea, one that President Abraham Lincoln aptly described as government “of the people, by the people and for the people.” These words are highly appealing throughout the world. We are in a struggle to keep this idea from perishing. Anne Applebaum is calling on us to recognize that the enemies of democracy have become more sophisticated in expressing their opposition through propaganda and are even weakening American resistance to autocracy. Nevertheless, we are happy that autocrats are afraid of the ideas of democracy and freedom.

In the propaganda of the autocrats, America is portrayed as a country in turmoil and too weak to keep order and protect people. In short, the autocracies assert democracy is unsafe for people. The autocracies, such as Russia and China, are portrayed as orderly, peaceful and safe. The message is that the order and safety supposedly provided by autocracies (which is a fallacy) are preferable to the turmoil and danger brought on by too much freedom in democracy.

How should we respond to anti-democratic propaganda?

I have lived in and near countries that were not democratic and in which people had little freedom. Considering the long history of non-democratic countries in the world, it is not hard to understand the thinking of people who live in such countries. Most people just want to survive. The propaganda being spread in America and the world emphasizes the insecurity of democracies in comparison to the orderly life in the authoritarian countries. This helps to make people conform to autocratic conditions in their own countries. This also sounds appealing to some Americans who lack security in their own life. These are the people who tend to admire the “strong men” in other countries. In fact, Donald Trump himself has expressed his admiration for such men. He would be happy with a docile population that remains loyal to him based on their being able to maintain secure lives.

What is the response needed to the anti-democracy propaganda? I believe it is a call to the American population to make a strong affirmation of democratic freedoms. The more actual experience people can get in elections in various groups, including churches and other organizations, gives practical knowledge of what democracy involves. In our national discussion and affirmation of democracy, we should call on scholars and students of American history and society to explain the specific experiences that America has had in war and peace in protecting and carrying out our democracy. These experiences include the struggles and victories that Americans have undergone in maintaining and improving our democratic equality and freedoms up to the present.

If the subject of democracy throughout our history becomes such a major topic in America, Americans will be protected from the false and harmful propaganda that opposing autocratic nations are sending into our society. The great effort and sacrifice of the nation in WW I and II should be highlighted. Allowing freedom of speech and of the press exposes us to many falsehoods, but that same freedom challenges us to gain more knowledge about what makes our country a great democracy, a democracy that can be continually improved.

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Rev. Robert L. Montgomery, Ph.D., lives in Black Mountain.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Opinion: Propaganda tries to weaken American resistance to autocracy