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U.S Universities Fail to Instill Appreciation of the Democratic Process



The result of the US Presidential Election surprised many. It certainly surprised over 50% of the American Electorate and many overseas countries who were saturated with the crudity and coarseness of the debate that dominated our TV programmes for the past number of months.

The Media got it Wrong

It may well be argued and with a great deal of merit, one of the principle reasons for the surprise was the serious disconnect demonstrated by the "Liberal Media" between themselves, their line of thinking and that of at least 50% of the American people. That is now apparent. The media got it wrong and, one would reasonably expect, they will be the very last to acknowledge that fact.

Some American Universities have lost their way

However, that is for another discussion. This paper addresses the fact that some American Universities have clearly indicated that they have seriously lost their way. Maybe they, also, were influenced by the "Liberal Agenda" to such a degree that, contrary to what one might expect from Universities, they were incapable of exercising a deep and comprehensive appreciation of the democratic process and, more importantly and alarming, incapable of exercising objectivity.

Students "Traumatized"?

Consequently, it would appear the only answer these learned institutions and professors had to help their students, who were reportedly, "traumatized" on hearing the result of the Election, was to either cancel or postpone classes and projects of offer counselling facilities and sessions to stressed students. What about offering education? What about explaining to them how the system works in a free democratic country?. What about explaining to them how we are expected to behave, having cast a secret ballot in a free democracy and how we are expected to behave and show respect for the outcome?

Universities fail to inspire confidence

The path chosen by some of the Universities does not inspire confidence in their readiness, nor indeed capacity to help form and educate future leaders and help their understanding and appreciation of the democratic process. Those students need to have knowledge and understanding of the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution. They need to know the concepts enshrined, outlining the fundamental human rights of individuals, are not just expressions of idle aspirations but an articulation of values that the citizens are entitled to cherish and hold dear in the certain knowledge that is what their country, at all costs, will protect.

Intellectual development

One would assume, that, leading up the Election, Universities would have usefully used time to discuss, as part of the intellectual development of their students, to critically examine and analyse the consequences of exercising the democratic right to vote for a candidate of choice. Instead, some, at least, would appear to have succumbed to collective hysteria because the opposing team scored and was victorious.

Unenlightened and emotionally driven

Many years ago, in some countries, it was not unusual for a football referee to carry a firearm while refereeing a soccer game and to have a moate and high fencing separating the players from supporters. It is sad to think that some universities are sanctuaries for immature, unenlightened and emotionally driven individuals, incapable of rationally understanding and respecting the political process and its' innate values.

It is a strange coincidence that this behaviour of our educated elite coincides with Veterans' Day (USA) and Armistice Day, (UK) when traditionally, citizens demonstrate respect to those thousands of brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives defending and protecting democracy and the rights and privileges it confers on its' people.

Michael Ringrose is a former Senior Police Officer and former CEO of an NGO. He is driven and motivated by a desire to help individuals, groups and organisations to identify their potential and maximize their opportunities.
 
 

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