10 Steps for Saving Democracy
The worst is yet to come. Here's what to do about it.
Hi folks, I originally published this article in January. I don’t have anything new this week because of a family emergency, so I’m sending it out again with links to subsequent articles for additional information. Alas, the message is just as important today as it was then. — Karin
Now that Donald Trump has begun his second term, we need concrete ways to defend our democracy. Here are ten steps you can take today to mitigate the harms of the administration. In coming weeks, I’ll dive deeper into each, explaining why they are necessary and how to do them effectively.
#1 Stay Calm
Grief, fear, and outrage are natural reactions to Trump’s behavior, but we cannot sustain resistance in a constant state of alarm. While strong emotions can drive action and clarify priorities, being consumed by them clouds our judgment. To resist effectively, we must learn to regulate our emotions in the face of Trump’s endless provocations, practicing skills such as mindfulness, boundary setting, and desensitization. Staying calm will help us avoid hopelessness and burnout, foster resilience, and ensure we respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively over the long-term.
#2 Resist Division
Division is the cornerstone of authoritarian power. Aspiring dictators gain strength not only by vilifying political opponents but by fostering infighting among them. Trump has proven especially adept at polarizing the public, using inflammatory rhetoric, fearmongering, and social media to pit Americans against one another along political, racial, and cultural lines. To counter this, we must prioritize building bridges with people who may be very different from ourselves. Collaboration with anyone who shares a commitment to democracy—even if we disagree on other important issues—is essential to resisting authoritarianism. Progressive purity tests and ideological battles weaken us and play directly into Trump’s hands. A united front is the antidote to the division he stokes.
#3 Set a Good Example
Democracy is governed by a core set of social norms that guide how we treat one another and resolve conflicts. These norms include respect for the rule of law, commitment to equality, mutual respect, tolerance of dissent, nonviolence, and more. Authoritarians undermine democracy by eroding these principles, violating them themselves and encouraging others to do the same out of expediency or fear of retribution. To counter this, we must uphold these norms even when our political opponents do not. As Michelle Obama said, “When they go low, we go high”—because the only way to protect democracy is by staying true to its principles, even when others do not.
#4 Build Trust
Trust is the invisible bedrock of democracy. Society thrives because we believe that most citizens, leaders, and institutions are striving to act in good faith. Even when we disagree or fall short of our goals, trust allows us to work together. Aspiring despots like Trump undermine this crucial foundation by stoking cynicism and suspicion—falsely claiming widespread voter fraud, attacking the media, and spreading conspiracy theories about government institutions. To rebuild and protect trust, we must reconnect with our communities and repair the bonds that once united us. By focusing on the inherent decency of the vast majority of people, we can counter Trump’s corrosive rhetoric.
#5 Discuss Politics
Few things are more damaging to a democratic society than avoiding political conversations. When citizens withdraw from public discourse, aspiring authoritarians fill the gap with their own twisted version of reality. Refusing to engage in discussions, especially with those who disagree with us, not only gives the impression that we agree with Trump’s actions and narrative, but stifles the flow of vital information about the state of the nation. Thoughtful, respectful dialogue is crucial for countering division, rebuilding trust, and modeling the constructive engagement democracy depends on.
#6 Communicate Persuasively
It’s not enough to talk about politics—we must also communicate in ways that bring others to our side. Unfortunately, we often engage with Trump voters in ways that push them away rather than welcoming them to the cause. While good communication skills don’t come naturally to most people, they can be developed with practice. Effective persuasion isn’t about delivering the strongest arguments; it’s about helping the other person feel safe enough to lower their defenses and consider an alternative perspective. This means holding back on sharing our own views and instead prioritizing asking thoughtful questions, listening carefully, and genuinely trying to understand the other person’s worldview.
#7 Tame Bad Behavior
Trump’s rhetoric and actions signal that prejudice, hate, and violence are acceptable, giving others the green light to violate long-standing social norms. Authoritarians rely on this breakdown of social rules to consolidate power, as unchecked bad behavior creates an environment of fear, division, and chaos. When leaders fail to defend these standards, it falls to ordinary citizens to step up and reinforce prosocial norms. This means naming harmful behavior when it occurs—not to create conflict, but to clarify and reinforce boundaries. By calmly and consistently holding others and ourselves accountable for our actions, we push back against authoritarian attempts to destabilize our communities and remind everyone of the value of mutual respect and equality.
#8 Combat Misinformation, Disinformation, and Propaganda
From the moment he entered politics, Trump has used lies and misinformation to manipulate public opinion and undermine democratic institutions. His falsehoods range from calculated claims, like insisting the 2020 election was “stolen,” to absurdities, such as suggesting disinfectant injections for COVID-19. Trump is aided by propaganda outlets like Fox News, OANN, and other partisan media that blur the line between fact and fiction, spreading disinformation to millions. This tactic, common among authoritarians, creates an environment where reality feels malleable, leaving people disoriented or resigned to believing one central figure. To combat this, we must become reliable sources of truth within our communities, sharing accurate, verifiable information and building trust through consistency and accuracy. Rather than getting bogged down in endless debates over falsehoods, our focus should be on helping others to seek out more trustworthy sources of information for themselves.
#9 Act Strategically
During Trump’s first term, a lot of political energy was wasted on tactics that failed to produce meaningful change. This is a common mistake: focusing on taking action in the absence of a coherent strategy. Tactics—such as protests, sit-ins, and demonstrations—are valuable tools, but they are only effective when guided by a well-defined plan with specific, realistic goals. Without clear objectives, even well-intentioned efforts can backfire. For instance, protests that disrupt daily life without clear messaging risk alienating the public and losing support, while scattered efforts can lead to activist burnout and disillusionment. To succeed, movements need strong leadership, practical planning, and a unified vision to ensure every action serves the larger mission. It’s not enough to oppose Trump; we must organize around achievable goals and execute thoughtful plans to successfully counter his actions.
#10 Be a Hero
The coming years will demand courage, resilience, and selflessness from all of us. You don’t need to single-handedly save the nation, but you do have a moral obligation to participate in the fight for democracy. Heroism isn’t about grand, dramatic gestures or self-serving virtue-signalling—it’s about everyday acts of bravery, such as talking with your MAGA family and friends about politics despite the risk of social friction. Authoritarians count on social anxiety and fear to silence and subdue dissent, hoping to splinter communities while pushing you toward hopelessness and compliance. True heroism lies in refusing to yield—standing firm in your values, even when it seems nothing can be done and everyone else has given in. Find the strength within yourself to uphold what is right even when it’s uncomfortable. By doing so, you help ensure that democracy endures.
The Time Is Now
Whether we like it or not, Trump 2.0 is here, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Instead of succumbing to despair, outrage, or disengagement, take these steps now to halt rising authoritarianism. Each of these actions plays a critical role in defending democracy, and Smart Politics is here to help you implement them effectively. The fight for democracy requires all of us to act with clarity, unity, and resolve. Let’s get started.
This article is part of The Smart Politics Way, a progressive newsletter about defending democracy through persuasive engagement. Dr. Karin Tamerius is a political psychiatrist and the founder of Smart Politics.
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Some interesting points raised by Gary Edwards. Let me see if I can address some of them, and/or raise a few of my own.
Starting with my own biases - and I think we're all agreed that we have them. I don't trust anyone who claims otherwise. Politically, and currently, I am about as deep "blue" as you can get...but that does not mean I agree on every single point. I believe Karin addressed this point about purity tests beautifully.
My family background is such that on one side of it I am largely on the same page politically, but not spiritually. There are signs that the latter is changing, though. I am also an unashamed Christian, and that puts me in the same spiritual camp with two of my cousins, but not politically. I do not know how much the political part has changed, since these cousins are on the opposite coast from me. It may be time to find out. Carefully.
So, with that background and taking just one issue: although at point blank range I am pro-DEI, I also have some serious and persistent misgivings about it. What they are, I'd rather not say here....and is that self-censorship? Is that induced by an unadmitted Democratic tendency to censor? (Back to purity tests.) I don't know. It's something I have to deal with, and I wrestle with it every day. I'll let you know when I have a better answer.
So to bring this full circle, let's say there are some issues on which I either agree with the sitting president on, or don't strongly disagree. Will I sometimes leave it alone in the interest of getting something positive done? Sure. But then, let's ask ourselves this, about any president: even if I agree that they are doing something right (even though I don't like them very much, and may consider them utterly unqualified for the job), do I trust them to do a *better* job than their opponent *on that issue*?
If the answer is "no", a noticeable majority of the time, then I cannot trust that candidate/president. If the answer is "no" ALL the time (or even close), then I have to consider them utterly unqualified. And that something had to be done about that.
That's where I am with the current administration.
I'd like to think I'm open minded enough to change my stance if proven wrong. But as I mentioned, we all have our biases. To claim otherwise is foolishness.
If you've read this far, Gary or anyone else, I commend you for your patience.
Again, everything you are talking about is resistance. How about finding commonality?
Let's try this, what things is the current administration doing that you support?
For instance, do you think stemming the flow of migrants into the US is good?
Do you support eliminating duplications, corruption, and inefficiencies from the federal government?
Do you think reducing spending to prepaNdemic levels would be a good thing?
Do you want peace in Ukraine and in the middle east?
Do you want less censorship?
Do you want less US involvement in toppling other governments?
Are you OK with biological males being excluded from women's sports?
Do you want American jobs and industries and their union workers protected from foreign predatory trade practices?
There must be some areas of agreement with the current administration that could be used to make some progress.