Democracy Under Siege

Tendai Rungano

You know, when Trump floated the idea of a third term, a lot of folks dismissed it outright. I mean, the 22nd Amendment is clear—two terms, full stop. But honestly, Jae, this isn’t just a throwaway remark. It’s painting a picture of a deeper issue.

Ji-hye 'Jae' Park

Right. It feels like more than just bravado. It’s like he's testing the waters, seeing how much of the public buys into it.

Tendai Rungano

Exactly. And through history, we’ve seen these trial balloons before. Leaders in democracies—across Africa, for instance—have skirted term limits by playing on popular sentiment, or by, well, undermining public trust in the rules.

Ji-hye 'Jae' Park

Like in Uganda, maybe? President Museveni’s been in power for decades. Didn’t they amend their constitution to let him stay longer?

Tendai Rungano

Yes, precisely. Museveni, and others like him, have manipulated term limits under the guise of national stability or efficiency. It erodes trust in constitutional norms over time. The idea becomes, "If the leader can ignore the rules, who’s keeping anyone accountable?"

Ji-hye 'Jae' Park

But the US isn’t Uganda. People often think those kinds of cracks can’t happen here, right?

Tendai Rungano

Ah, but here’s the danger. We tend to assume that democratic traditions are self-sustaining, like eternal truths. Yet Trump's rhetoric, his focus on delegitimizing systems—like calling elections rigged or undermining institutions—chips away at those beliefs slowly.

Ji-hye 'Jae' Park

It’s like a slow erosion. People stop believing in the system, and what’s left to protect it?

Tendai Rungano

Exactly. And experts are already warning us. When we think back to Nixon, impeachment was a crisis, but there were boundaries he couldn’t cross. Today, those boundaries are being redrawn. Maybe not legally, but in the minds of citizens.

Ji-hye 'Jae' Park

And that impacts trust in the whole voting process. People start thinking, "Why bother? The rules don’t matter."

Tendai Rungano

Precisely. Losing faith in structure is a powerful first step toward unchecked power. I I mean, history shows us—when democratic norms weaken, it’s only a matter of time before opportunistic leaders exploit the power vacuum.

Ji-hye 'Jae' Park

And in the US, that could spiral fast, especially if people already feel disillusioned. It’s scary to think how far-reaching this could get.

Tendai Rungano

You know, Jae, when we talked about trust in democratic norms last time, it's the same pattern we see with Social Security under the Trump administration. But what’s critical here isn’t just the policies themselves, but the quiet dismantling of trust in the system overall. From cutting staff to creating new barriers for access, every step seems designed to frustrate and alienate.

Ji-hye 'Jae' Park

Right, like those “anti-fraud” measures that sound reasonable on paper. But expecting elderly folks to navigate online applications or travel to distant offices? It’s not realistic. It’s almost cruel.

Tendai Rungano

Yes, and history has shown us that undermining an institution’s functionality is a powerful way to make people give up on it. In the US, privatization attempts have failed over decades because Social Security was untouchable—what they called the "third rail." But now, with chaos at the forefront, faith in the system is eroding. And once that’s gone...

Ji-hye 'Jae' Park

...people just stop fighting for it. I mean, I’ve been there. Bureaucratic roadblocks are exhausting. When I first escaped North Korea and started my life over, paperwork and red tape felt like a second prison. Everything was slow—

Tendai Rungano

Hmm.

Ji-hye 'Jae' Park

—and confusing. People, even the well-meaning ones, kept losing my files. I was stuck for months without basic support like housing. It really shakes you when you realize how helpless you are without these systems working in your favor.

Tendai Rungano

Your experience highlights what’s at stake here. For seniors, for vulnerable citizens—it’s not just a matter of efficiency. It’s survival. Time and again we’ve seen, through American history and beyond, that when governments break systems like this, they’re—they’re often priming the public for larger changes. Privatization, cuts—whatever form it takes, the end goal is control.

Ji-hye 'Jae' Park

And it opens the door for corporate interests, right? I mean, if Wall Street steps in to “fix” Social Security, who’s really gonna benefit from that?

Tendai Rungano

Absolutely. The power dynamic shifts. And the human cost? That’s what gets buried under promises of efficiency and reform.

Tendai Rungano

You know, Jae, as we were saying about Social Security—these seemingly deliberate breakdowns in systems aren’t just about economics. They’re part of the larger narrative. Democratic norms, like Social Security, survive only if people recognize what’s happening and are willing to fight for them. Otherwise, the collapse can come quicker than anyone expects.

Ji-hye 'Jae' Park

Right. It’s easy to feel powerless, like these systems are too big to influence. But history shows us that grassroots resistance can be incredibly powerful, even in the face of overwhelming odds.

Tendai Rungano

Absolutely. Take the Civil Rights Movement. Ordinary citizens, facing systemic oppression, organized, marched, protested. They forced change at a national level. That wasn’t top-down reform. That was people power breaking through entrenched systems.

Ji-hye 'Jae' Park

And it wasn’t quick. I think people sometimes forget that. These movements were sustained—they took years of persistence, of small wins building over time.

Tendai Rungano

So true. In colonial Africa, I saw similar struggles. In Zimbabwe, grassroots movements emerged to challenge colonial power structures. It was dangerous, often life-threatening work, but it was the constant push from communities that ultimately paved the way for independence.

Ji-hye 'Jae' Park

And those lessons still apply. Resistance isn’t about one big symbolic stand. It’s about these small, ongoing acts. It’s showing up. Voting. Speaking out. Protesting.

Tendai Rungano

That’s it exactly. And here’s the thing—when leaders start to break rules, they’re testing whether the public will push back. If citizens stay silent, it emboldens them. Vigilance, participation—that’s what keeps democracies alive.

Ji-hye 'Jae' Park

And honestly? It gives people their power back. When you realize you’re not alone, that you’re part of something bigger... it’s such a transformative, hopeful moment.

Tendai Rungano

It is. And I think that’s what we need to hold onto right now. These systems—they’re fragile, yes. But they’re also resilient when people rally around them. The rules only protect us as much as we protect the rules.

Ji-hye 'Jae' Park

And that’s exactly why collective action is so vital. It’s not just about defending systems—it’s about shaping them into something better, something more just.

Tendai Rungano

Couldn’t agree more, Jae. You know, we’ve covered a lot this episode, but I think it all circles back to one truth: a democracy isn’t a guarantee. It’s a practice. And it’s up to every individual to engage, to resist complacency, and to stand up when it matters most.

Ji-hye 'Jae' Park

And on that note, that’s all for today, friends. These conversations—they’re just the beginning. Keep questioning, keep learning—and most importantly, keep showing up.

Tendai Rungano

Until next time, stay engaged and stay hopeful. Together, we can make a difference.