We in the West often trace our democratic heritage to Athens, the birthplace of democracy. In fact, the word “democracy” comes from Greek, literally meaning “people power.”
However, democracy in 6th century BC Athens looked a bit different from democracy today. The archon and lawgiver Solon gave each citizen of Athens (as opposed to the landed aristocracy) the right to participate in the assembly, which voted on laws, festivals, and some military exploits. Those who voted in Athens respected their grave responsibility. Their leadership of the city necessitated that their personal character and political choices be up to the task. Because of the thoughtful quality of Athenian voters, such a high-risk, high-reward system worked well for a time. Art, philosophy, global trade, drama, and architecture bloomed, ushering in the Golden Age of Athens.
But it only lasted a few centuries. This ability to vote directly was confined to men from citizen families who had completed their military training. It also meant that those without direct votes made their voices heard by rioting, complaining, or bribery. The strong commitments to personal character shown by Athenian leaders like Solon and Pericles weren’t maintained by their inheritors. Eventually, Athenian democracy fell, overtaken by a lack of personal responsibility from voting citizens coupled with increased mob instincts and power. (The Macedonian army delivered the killing blow.)
American democracy developed differently, rightly concerned about handing over society’s direction to mob rule. Our innovation was representative democracy, where every citizen has the ability to choose legislative representatives at the ballot box. In this way, quality political leaders can represent the masses without feeling the need to cater to every changing whim and uninformed impulse. Yet voting was always considered to be a danger if uncoupled from steadfast characters. Politician Benjamin Rush once claimed, echoing the common sentiment among the Founders, “If the common people are ignorant and vicious, a nation, and above all a republican nation, can never be long free and happy.”
While the right to vote is Constitutionally enshrined, it is not the most effective pathway to create positive change on an individual level. As Minnesotans head to the ballot box tomorrow, here are a few things to keep in mind.
Voting is not a complete fulfillment of civic duty
Most people don’t vote because they love the rush of standing in line and then checking a box or two: they vote because they feel a duty to their community. Duty, however, is much deeper than a simple vote. It is a daily commitment to foster, as Lincoln says, the “better angels of our nature.” Without the completion of civic duties, American democracy unravels like Athens.
Some are qualified to work in political roles. Their duty, then, is to work in school district advisory committees, school boards, city councils, and all other local assemblies. Even if they don’t benefit from a distinct political party apparatus behind them, it’s important that thoughtful people serve in these positions.
Many others don’t have the time, confidence, or ability to seek out these roles. They don’t want to spend their days engrossed in Twitter wars or in mountains of paperwork. That understandable instinct means their civic duty is to be engaged in their community all year round.
A community — a civic organization — grows and thrives when people act to nurture it. That nurturing, shepherding instinct can be seen in a number of activities: involvement in a local Toastmasters or Kiwanis club, volunteer work at a local church, or even mentorship given via substitute teaching, weekend road cleanups, or AA groups. As my colleague John Phelan wrote recently, the government shutdown has opened multiple avenues for charitable action.
A strong polis (or town) creates a strong political life, and strong social bonds create that quality town. Thoughtfully investing in family and friends improves everyone’s life. Organizing local traditions, taking classes, and reading the local paper may not appear to be political activities, but they are the very vehicles for thoughtful ballot box choices. After all, thoughtful political policy is a cleared pathway for people to embark on a truly good life, not the goal of a life well spent.
Involvement takes time, but what else is time for?
Even though a bipartisan instinct can be difficult to find on election days, it’s important to foster one during the rest of the year. Over the past decade, it’s been perilously easy (and sometimes tempting) to block, cut off, or rebuff people that vote differently. While it takes discernment to know how to handle charged conversations, and occasionally strong words are warranted, any political strategy that encourages strong tribal, isolationist thinking naturally leads to a narrowing voter base and stunted social attitudes for individuals.
Thankfully, most of us will never have a national platform for our political perspectives. This does mean that the best audiences for social change are family, friends, and social groups. It’s worth considering if certain meme reposts, political Halloween costumes, and slogan-emblazed t-shirts actually create an opportunity for a bipartisan conversation, or if they only serve to rebuff the cousin who happens to listen to different podcasts. Those cousins, coworkers, and college friends are the most fertile ground for transformative conversation. Real change can and does take place through person-centric individual conversations — just ask the Braver Angels organization!
Those who are confident in their principles shouldn’t let their feelings devolve into brute, unhelpful political frustrations, but should uphold a resignation to continue their good work. Abraham Lincoln, in his First Inaugural Address, begged for a similar attitude of temperance.
Why should there not be a patient confidence in the ultimate justice of the people? Is there any better or equal hope in the world? In our present differences, is either party without faith of being in the right? If the Almighty Ruler of Nations, with His eternal truth and justice, be on your side of the North, or on yours of the South, that truth and that justice will surely prevail by the judgment of this great tribunal of the American people.
While Lincoln didn’t quite avoid conflict, and the bloody Civil War carved a nasty scar across the nation, he was correct that ultimate justice prevailed. Thankfully, the 2025 off-year election isn’t quite as high stakes as what he faced in 1861. His reminder for the American citizens to perform the hard work of peacemaking, however, still holds true:
We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.
What to keep in mind while voting
Tomorrow’s ballot box represents a choice. In Minnesota, where many local races are close, the voting slip represents a very real choice between two candidates and two opposing visions. But on a broader level, it represents the choice to complete an aspect of one’s social duty. As shown by the Athenians, voting is only a successful activity when the voters have a personal commitment to fulfill their entire social duty.
A true commitment to strong schools, healthy policies, and quality organizations isn’t made by checking the “right” box, but by the harder work of daily service to Minnesota.
