Sean Illing and Fareed Zakaria bring up some interesting points on the state of democracy in the United States, most of which center on the idea that democracy and liberalism are two separate concepts that have different impacts on the political structure of a country. By defining democracy as “a process for choosing leaders” and liberalism as “norms and practices that shapes political life,” more specifically those that prioritize individual right, the authors better outline how corruption and restrictions can occur even in a democracy. Given this model, democracy does not appear to be in peril–at least not in the United States. What does seem to be in danger–which Illing and Zakaria correctly identify–is how constitutional our leaders remain. I do not think our votes/voices are in danger of being silenced; unfortunately, though, I do see the structure of American politics taking a shape that values polarized decisions over agreement and concession. In practice, politicians on both sides prioritize action over regulation. Which, if you’re a proponent for the person in power, you’re happy to see happening because it means that something is happening. A politician is taking a stand. But for anyone who disagrees with you, it is just a violation of law and practice. This means that when someone else is in power, someone completely opposite from the prior incumbent, a political structure is already set in place that makes their ruling easier and further unregulated. If democracy is in danger, it is in danger because we keep leaving doors open for political corruption and chaos. Our Constitution and laws are fallible, as they are in every country. But when we start dismissing them, we start dismissing them all.