Is Democracy Still Worth Fighting For?

This week’s election results in the U.S. have raised a critical question: Is democracy a value worth defending, or just an empty slogan? Many communication experts claim the Harris campaign lacked a clear, resonant theme, while Trump’s team nailed it with simple, urgent messaging: “They broke it, I fix it.” It resonated deeply.

Ironically, the Democrats did have a powerful message—perhaps the most important message of all: “Preserve Democracy.” A call so fundamental that even conservative icons like Dick Cheney and his daughter Liz crossed party lines to support it. Yet, for much of the American public, this promise didn’t connect. As one communication expert said, “Democracy is an elite value, not a people’s priority.” And they’re right.

For many Americans, the real issue was the hit to their wallets. Rising inflation and the cost of essentials made economic concerns outweigh democratic ideals. Here’s a glimpse of the income distribution in the U.S. and Germany:

These numbers show that most earners in both countries make less than $75,000 per year. With inflation biting, the financial strain is real. But consider this: Western democracies, home to just 15% of the world’s population, generate about 55% of global GDP. Values like freedom, democracy, human rights, and, importantly, the rule of law have fueled this prosperity.

In other words, if freedom and democracy erode, so too will our collective wealth. While many in the West may feel financially squeezed, their incomes are still far higher than most of the global population. Here’s how income distribution looks globally, excluding Western democracies:

The disparity is stark. Even lower-income earners in Western democracies are relatively wealthy by global standards. Many countries lack any form of social welfare, amplifying this divide.

Yes, economic inequality in the West deserves attention, but let’s not lose sight of the big picture: Democracy, freedom, human rights, and the rule of law are the foundation of Western prosperity. They’re what drive enduring stability and economic success. Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, and countless others built their fortunes on this very foundation.

Democracy might sometimes feel like “elite thinking,” disconnected from immediate needs, but it’s indispensable. Losing it would mean losing both freedom and the economic stability that many take for granted.

Join the movement. Preserve democracy—before we lose what took centuries to build.

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