WaPo’s Perry Bacon has a piece on political strategy to save American democracy, and I think I cannot agree with one point:
Fifth, we need leaders in every sector of America, from faith to business to sports, to emphasize democratic values. It won’t be enough if the pro-democracy message is carried only by politicians and the media. And it can’t be vague “voting is important” rhetoric. Those taking democracy-eroding actions — like Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R), Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) and Trump — have to be named and shamed.
No. Shame “works” when you’re preaching to the choir. But for those who failed to join the choir, those who hate politics and don’t want to spend the time on it, shaming is quite often the moral equivalent to an an ad hominem attack, which is an attack on the character of the person presenting the argument, rather than the argument itself. Ad hominen attacks strike most folks, especially those who are citizens of democracies, as the tactic of folks who can’t muster a good argument.
Look: Generally, writers are told to know their audience. But in this case, Bacon needs to remember that his audience isn’t his readers, but the people who go out and vote – and don’t like to pay attention to politics otherwise. Sure, Bacon and I and all the other pundits are aware that, for example, there is no evidence of systematic election fraud that could turn the recent Presidential contest, but when Republican politicians implement restrictions on voting, they don’t call it that. They call it election security. And that sounds good to the unaware.
Excuses like these shouldn’t be met by shaming. They need to be met with arguments and facts. By inviting those unpolitical folks, so uneasily aware of the events of January 6th, into the argument, asking them to discuss and contribute to the issue, they can feel part of civil life – because they will be. That will incline them to find your arguments and political philosophy more attractive.
Shaming doesn’t promote inclusion. It comes across as manipulative. It turns its audience into puppets. And most folks just want to be treated with respect.
