Patricia Roberts-Miller begins her essay as follows:
"'Thucydides’ trap' is famous in international relations, used to describe a situation in which a rising power threatens an existing hegemon. It’s also a misnomer — it describes a 'trap' of no interest to the Athenian historian Thucydides. Neither is it applicable to the relationship between Sparta and Athens that would result in the regionally devastating Peloponnesian War, the history of which Thucydides wrote. The misnomer is the consequence of a misunderstanding of a quote from a secondary writer, and an anachronistic understanding of what it means to be a hero in classical literature."
https://theloop.ecpr.eu/not-deliberating-about-democracies-is-a-deadly-trap/
This led to my asking: what does it mean to be a hero today especially in relation not only to "democracy" but to "the democracies" - the thousands of possible routes that we can take to be ever more democratic, ever better democratic people?
To my mind, perhaps because I am working on a book called "Democracy Therapy: Democratic Treatments for our Authoritarian Lives", such a hero tries to democratise their family, or school, workplace, condo/apartment building, local hospitals, their neighbourhood, domestic relations with non-human life, and so forth - all, notably, more social than political spaces.
What does being a hero of the democracies today mean to you?
https://theloop.ecpr.eu/not-deliberating-about-democracies-is-a-deadly-trap/
Dear Jean-Paul,
Thanks for hosting such an invaluable discussion. Keep it up, Sir.
Following your question, I think largely that, to be a hero of the democracies today means to take a proactive stance in fostering democratic values and institutions. This can include advocating for greater civic engagement, working to protect civil liberties and human rights, challenging systemic injustices, opposing authoritarianism and its associated practices, and striving to create a more just and equitable society. It also entails fighting for the expansion of democracy both at the domestic and international levels, and engaging in activities that promote democratic principles and practices. Ultimately, it is about actively engaging in the democratic process and ensuring that all voices are heard and respected.
Hello Jean-Paul,
In the first place, I like this concept of "the democracies" which deals with "the thousands of possible routes that we can take to be ever more democratic, ever better democratic people". Then, there are still locations on earth, where knowledge, information, education are not yet democratized. This breeds inequality on different fronts in such places. To my mind therefore, whoever that facilitates the democratization of knowledge, information and education in such environments, and in doing so helps in the reduction of domestic disparities in such countries, is a hero of "the democracies".
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