Sir, - Like many others, I have been grappling with Donald Trump’s impact on American democracy. Yet, paradoxically, my opposition to his politics has deepened my engagement with the American political system. This discomfort has sparked a more critical examination of what truly constitutes effective democratic leadership. Mr Trump’s presidency, despite its divisiveness, may yield an unexpected benefit for both American and global democracy. By compelling citizens to confront fundamental questions about leadership, governance and civic duty, it has catalysed a crucial dialogue about democratic resilience.
As John Stuart Mill argued in On Liberty, engaging with opposing viewpoints not only clarifies our own convictions but strengthens our understanding of democratic institutions.
Perhaps this is democracy’s silver lining: opposition often awakens civic consciousness and renews our commitment to protecting and enhancing democratic values. – Yours, etc,
ENDA CULLEN,
Ann Ingle: Deliberately going out of my way to move for no particular reason has never appealed to me
Gerry Thornley: How about an alternative look at Ireland’s Six Nations win over England?
Is Ireland anti-Semitic, an outlier of tolerance or in the middle ground?
How risky is it to buy a second-hand EV?
Armagh.
Sir, – It looks like Donald Trump is trying to swamp the drain. – Yours, etc,
FINTAN CADOGAN,
Inniscarra,
Co Cork.
