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🇰🇷 South Korea /Elections & Politics

Build a 'Big Tent for Democracy' Against Well-Funded Far-Right, Author Urges

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • A new book by Catherine 15 years of research into anti-democratic movements in the US, revealing them to be systematic efforts fueled by money, lies, and Christian nationalism.
  • The author argues that Donald Trump is a symptom of a larger, more enduring movement involving interconnected funders, activists, religious leaders, and media.
  • The book proposes solutions including strengthening solidarity, progressive taxation, campaign finance transparency, combating disinformation, and defending public education and voting rights.

Catherine 15 years of research into anti-democratic movements in the US reveals a systematic, well-funded effort fueled by money, lies, and Christian nationalism. The author argues that Donald Trump is merely a symptom of a larger, more enduring movement that predates him and will likely outlast him. This movement is not a single organization but a complex network of funders, activists, religious leaders, and media.

The book identifies "money, lies, and faith" as the core drivers. Capital infiltrates the American political system, disinformation mobilizes the masses, and Christian nationalism serves as a political identity. The author warns that extreme wealth concentration, the politicization of religion, and the spread of conspiracy theories are not unique to the US but are exported to other democracies.

The anti-democratic counter-forces are in reality an over-organized, mobilized minority. Therefore, we who believe in democracy must build a tent large enough to unite the pro-democracy majority, and organize and mobilize accordingly.

— Catherine StewartThe author emphasizes the need for a broad coalition to defend democracy.

To counter the far-right's assault, the book suggests strengthening solidarity, implementing progressive taxation, increasing transparency in political financing, combating disinformation, reinforcing the separation of church and state, and defending public education and voting rights. Crucially, the author emphasizes that those who believe in democracy are the majority and must organize accordingly.

Drawing a parallel to Abraham Lincoln's success in uniting diverse factions, the book contrasts this with the interwar period in Germany, where divisions on the left prevented them from uniting against the rise of Nazism. The author reiterates a quote attributed to Ronald Reagan: "He who agrees with you 80 percent of the time is your friend and ally, not your enemy who disagrees 20 percent of the time." This sentiment, the author urges, is essential for building a broad, pro-democracy coalition.

He who agrees with you 80 percent of the time is your friend and ally, not your enemy who disagrees 20 percent of the time.

— Ronald Reagan (quoted by Catherine Stewart)The author quotes Reagan to advocate for unity among those who support democracy.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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