Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Top Stories

The America I wish to see

The America I wish to see
Getty Images

Jarell Corley is a US Army Field Artillery Officer currently serving in South Korea, a national spokesperson forOpen Primaries, and a native of Chicago. The views expressed in this article are that of the author and do not represent the views or opinions of the Department of Defense, The United States Army, or any governmental agencies affiliated with The United States Government.

With Brazil’s recent insurrection following the recent trend of civilian upheaval starting with the January 6th insurrection, we must ask ourselves how America will lead in 2023 as the future for democracy around the globe grows ever dimmer. Other instances bringing democracy’s fate around the world into question include England’s messy succession crisis, Russia’s Ukraine invasion, Chile's vote on a radical constitutional amendment, and Peru’s post election upheaval.


As the leading force of democracy in the world, America must question old assumptions and embrace new mechanisms, such as open primaries, by which its democracy operates.

The push for electoral reform amongst independent voters is growing more popular in our country, as they push for full voting rights. Open primaries would further democratize our system of voting and put more power into the hands of the American people. Embracing such a reform could create a new model for American Democracy empowering individual communities from the ground up and ultimately begin to solve the crisis within the halls of our nation’s Congress.

Sign up for The Fulcrum newsletter

If proven effective here in America, this new model could serve as the light piercing through the veil of darkness enveloping modern democracy around the world as well. There is no question about American influence on the global political scene and with so much of the world emulating our likeness, democracy’s future depends on our ability to get our own house in order.

As a Commissioned Officer serving in the Republic of Korea, America’s global influence couldn’t resonate with me more as I immerse myself into a new culture abroad. Like many democracies around the globe, Korea’s government closely mirrors that of America. Korea has three branches of government along with two major political parties fighting for power. Similar to America are also the Korean election cycles and the makeup of its version of Congress known as The National Assembly. One day while reading the Korean news, I literally thought I was following American politics as the content coverage was eerily similar.

The Republic of Korea debates many of the same issues we do, such as the economy, foreign policy, and women’s rights, among other topics. Additionally, they have polarized points of view covering these topics just as here in America. Interestingly, upon doing further research on other Democracies around the world supported in one way or another by America, I found striking similarities with their systems of government as well.

Making this discovery was quite astonishing and has made me realize the independent voter movement’s push for open primaries and other electoral reforms goes beyond building a better democracy here at home. The importance of this movement extends beyond America’s borders and is critical to the continued longevity of democracy around the world.

With the many images in the global media showing a divided populace, unable to work together in the midst of chaos throughout the many countries of the world, my experiences in the United States Army show a side of the coin not often portrayed by the media. This side is a portrait of the other America. Those active duty military and veterans fortunate enough to serve their country for a purpose greater than self. This is the side of America that has weathered all the storms testing our great Nation pushing us ever closer to embody the spirit of our constitution and furthermore to provide opportunity for all who live within these borders.

If our active duty military and veterans who served can work together and accomplish a common purpose, imagine what our country could accomplish if a new form of democracy-like open primaries- empowered independent voters so that all voters could work together rather than against one another. Accomplishing this would not only build democracy in America, but offer a beacon to other world democracies to continue to build their own systems to ensure equal voting rights for all the world’s citizens.

Read More

The Evolving Social Contract: From Common Good to Contemporary Practice

An illustration of hands putting together a puzzle.

Getty Images, cienpies

The Evolving Social Contract: From Common Good to Contemporary Practice

The concept of the common good in American society has undergone a remarkable transformation since the nation's founding. What began as a clear, if contested, vision of collective welfare has splintered into something far more complex and individualistic. This shift reflects changing times and a fundamental reimagining of what we owe each other as citizens and human beings.

The nation’s progenitors wrestled with this very question. They drew heavily from Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who saw the social contract as a sacred covenant between citizens and their government. But they also pulled from deeper wells—the Puritan concept of the covenant community, the classical Republican tradition of civic virtue, and the Christian ideal of serving one's neighbor. These threads wove into something uniquely American: a vision of the common good that balances individual liberty with collective responsibility.

Keep ReadingShow less
We’ve Collectively Created the Federal Education Collapse

Students in a classroom.

Getty Images, Maskot

We’ve Collectively Created the Federal Education Collapse

“If we make money the object of man-training, we shall develop money-makers but not necessarily men.” - W.E.B. Du Bois

The current state of public education has many confused, anxious, and even fearful. Depending on the day, I feel any combination of the above, among other less-than-ideal adjectives. Simply, the future is uncertain. Schools are simultaneously cutting budgets and trying to remain relevant, all during an increasingly tense political climate.

Keep ReadingShow less
Recent Republican policies and proposals limiting legal immigration and legal immigrants' benefits and rights

An oversized gavel surrounded by people.

Getty Images, J Studios

Recent Republican policies and proposals limiting legal immigration and legal immigrants' benefits and rights

In a recent post we quoted a journalist describing the Republican Party as anti-immigration. Many of our readers wrote back angrily to say that the Republican party is only opposed to immigrants who are present illegally.

But that's not true. And we're not shy of telling it like it is.

Keep ReadingShow less
The Importance of Respecting Court Orders
brown wooden chess piece on brown book

The Importance of Respecting Court Orders

The most important question in American politics today is whether Donald Trump will respect court orders. Judges have repeatedly ruled against his administration.

But will he listen?

Keep ReadingShow less