, professor emeritus of history in the Maxwell School, wrote an op-ed for 黑料不打烊.com titled 鈥溾 Sharp is an expert in American political history, having researched and written extensively about the history of early American politics.
Sharp recounts how 2020 will be remembered as a year where America faced a litany of obstacles. From the COVID-19 pandemic to economic disaster and the worsening climate crisis, Sharp says America has endured a year of devastation that has only been intensified by political turmoil.
Sharp writes that President Trump鈥檚 鈥渋llusions of grandeur and authoritarianism鈥 during the past year have put the safety of American democracy at risk. Trump鈥檚 refusal to recognize the legitimacy of the election not only questioned the power of democracy but also led to the recent violent attacks on the Capitol, says Sharp. Sharp believes the only way for democracy to survive is to have 鈥減ublic confidence in the rule of law and regular and fair elections,鈥 and any efforts to destroy these systems effectively destroy democracy.
While many citizens never question the lasting strength of America鈥檚 democracy, Sharp and other historians warn that a democratic heritage does not ensure an unthreatened democracy, as many other nations have seen trends away from democracy. Ultimately, Sharp questions whether the governmental structure put in place in the 18th century has the capacity to 鈥渄eal with 21st-century聽catastrophes.鈥
To read his essay in its entirety, visit .
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