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Democracy is at stake in this election, we're told. But the word "democracy" does not even cover it.

It's more than just elections and voting; it's the kind of society we have – one that respects every individual's human dignity and maximizes their scope to flourish. The role of government is to promote that, and politics the means to get there – through civil discourse, with diverse voices equally entitled to participate. And rule of law applies even — especially — to government, which is accountable to the citizenry.

All this comprises a democratic culture. It’s a fairly modern invention, and a rare and precious thing in the world’s annals. For all the cynicism, until lately we had succeeded remarkably well at sustaining and even broadening and improving it.

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