While reading Zakaria’s views on the importance of civic associations in liberal democracies, I sought to understand the roots of the cultural erosion which has propagated illiberalism. Zakaria claims that these social buffers which regulate society have eroded due to the weakness of political parties. As argued, a transparent, individualistic Congress gives these intermediary associations no use, allowing politicians to run free in an entrepreneurial system. Tocqueville’s “informal mechanisms” which lead to a civil society that fosters and supports the institutions of democracy have now failed to set a professional, political standard, leading to a loss of the culture of democracy within our country.

With these modes of buffering now deteriorated, Americans have promoted populist regimes, dangerously pairing both popular passions and public policy. As Zakaria argues, even though it is integral that a democratic society adheres to popular sentiments, without the consideration of liberal values our country is tending towards a tragic devolve. These civic associations are the liberal filters which allow the U.S to foster and promote the same institutions of Democracy which aided in the founding of America. Without them, U.S politics is like a child without their parents, left without a figure to mediate its actions in order to protect the long term interests of the country.