Combatting a crisis of hope

Cynicism, disinformation, fear and a lack of faith in our government's ability to meet the challenges ahead are leading some Americans to give up on our political system and ignore attacks on the Constitution. But despite what she calls a "crisis of hope," Congresswoman Sarah McBride believes democracy will survive.

"I'm going to tell you something that might feel unbelievable when you turn on the news or open social media. I have seen that we are not as divided as the algorithms make it seem," Delaware's sole official in the House of Representatives told the huge audience at the University of Delaware's annual James R. Soles Lecture on the Constitution and Citizenship on Dec. 5.

The lecture was held two days before Delaware Day, the anniversary of Delaware becoming the first state to ratify the Constitution. McBride urged the nearly 600 people in attendance at Clayton Hall to reject suggestions that progress in government is impossible or that we should "give up" on those who don't share our politics.

"Cynicism is tempting," she said. "It protects us from disappointment. It offers the short term satisfaction of saying, 'See, I told you so.' But in democracy, cynicism is not neutral. It's corrosive."

She warned that economic anxiety, rising inequality and disinformation is being exploited by what she called "destroyers" - politicians and institutions that benefit from public despair.

The result, she said, is a growing openness to authoritarian alternatives.