American Democracy

It’s hard to write a book. It’s harder to write a book on a popular subject like democracy, which many think they understand. It’s hardest to write a book on a complex subject like American democracy, telling everybody that “everything you think you know about American democracy is wrong.” But that is exactly what this book is. Below is a book review by Dr. John Lounsbury. “In this book, Dr. Li writes about American democracy boldly and artfully with scientific logic, engineering accuracy, American straight-forwardness, and Chinese sophistication, in plain English with great clarity.” America is deeply in trouble, not only economically but also politically! Economically, three examples: 1) Food Stamps Still Feed One in Seven Americans Despite Recovery. 2) America’s Unseen Social Crisis: Men without Work. The labor force participation rate is at the 1978 low. 3) At $19 trillion and counting, our national debt will eventually crush us. Politically, after two of the arguably worst Presidents, George W. Bush and Barack Obama, Americans faced an even worse choice in 2016: Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton. Most Americans liked neither, but had to settle on the lesser of two evils: Trump! Will America’s gamble on Trump pay off? I certainly hope so (Chapters 118 & 119)! Should American democracy have come down to betting on one God-like figure? No! What, then, is the root cause for America’s trouble? “It’s the political system, stupid!” I believe I have the most accurate diagnosis for America and the best solution. To best appreciate them, you must better understand democracy, America, China, and the world in which America is a part. Let’s begin with Alexis de Tocqueville. In 1831, a 26-year-old Frenchman named Alexis de Tocqueville visited America. He traveled widely throughout the country, taking extensive notes about his observations and reflections. He returned to France in less than two years, and published a book entitled "Democracy in America". Today, it is considered an early work, and a must-read, on democracy, sociology, and political science. In his book, Tocqueville writes: “The American people, through their chosen representatives who were instructed by their wisdom and experience and were supported by their virtues – cultivated, purified and ennobled by self-reliance and the love of God – had matured, in the excellent wisdom of their counsels, a new plan of government, which embraced every security for their liberties and equal rights and privileges to all in the pursuit of happiness.” What a generous assessment of America by a young Frenchman at that time! While Tocqueville was obviously impressed with America, especially its tremendous potential, he was oblivious to the plight of America’s many problems at that time, to the point that I doubt whether he truly understood America and democracy. 2 examples: 1) “The American people” he referred to included some rich white males only 2) Slavery Overall, Tocqueville did a good job for his time. But time is the best judge for everything, including his book, America, and democracy. Unlike Tocqueville who came to America as a tourist, I escaped “communist China” in 1982 and came to America in 1985 to stay. Furthermore, unlike Tocqueville, who saw his country France lose her way during his lifetime, I have watched my native country China rise astronomically, while fully taking advantage of it by running an import-export business between China and America! Finally, unlike Tocqueville who spent less than two years in America as a tourist, it has taken me some 30 years to begin to gain some insight into the intricate relationships among communism, socialism, capitalism, democracy. I have much more experience than Tocqueville when writing about America. My diagnosis for America: getting re-elected ad nauseam. Mu solution: Term limits for Congress, with the American Presidency being strictly limited to 1 term (e.g. 6 years). For more, read on!