Opinion: Donald Trump's pride destructive to a democracy; humility, integrity, love needed

In this election year of 2024, we are reminded that candidates for offices in a democratic government need special virtues that are most suitable for functioning in a democracy. We can call them “democratic virtues.” The candidacy of Donald Trump, who is peculiarly lacking in virtue, has reminded us of attitudes and behaviors that are not suitable for a democracy or any government. Therefore, we should consider what virtues are best suitable for functioning in a democracy.

First, let us recognize that a democracy is based in freedom, which means that competition is a natural part of a democratic system, just as it is present in all of life in varying degrees. But in democracies, elections are central to the activities and competition is part of elections as people vie for government offices. A healthy self-confidence is certainly useful for candidates, but not a pride that looks down on others, dehumanizes them and threatens them in various ways. We have seen these actions in Trump’s campaign beginning when he first ran for president in 2015. Such pride is destructive to a democracy in which all people are declared equal. Thus, we can say strongly that humility is a prime virtue for those who serve in a democracy. Humility rather than domination of a candidate allows the people to recognize the abilities that will be helpful in a democracy.

Integrity is extremely important in a democracy. Integrity incorporates truthfulness that flows from a love of the truth. Without truthfulness in leaders of a democracy, society cannot make progress by correcting its mistakes and weaknesses. Integrity makes leaders in a democracy avoid the temptations of power to lie, cheat and take advantage of the weak. Of course, integrity includes honesty and both are major enemies of corruption that is a constant temptation for those with power, which all governmental offices have, including in democracies. Trump’s campaign is based on the Big Lie that he won the previous election.

Virtues overlap and support each other and integrity incorporates honesty and truthfulness. People with integrity have courage to take initiative when needed. This is important in a democracy because change is constantly needed to make improvements. A democracy cannot stand still, but needs constant improvement of various aspects of the society and government. Such change is not easy because obstacles to change need removal.

It almost goes without saying that democracies need people with the virtue of wisdom in exercising patience and toleration as change to make improvements is constantly negotiated. The ability to negotiate requires wisdom in understanding human nature, its strengths and weaknesses. It also requires the ability to understand the various powerful forces that circulate in societies that can be harmful or helpful.

The most encompassing virtue is love. Love empowers all the other virtues and is an important part of making a democracy work as well as protecting it. Love for the democracy means every effort will be made to preserve and improve the society and the government. People who love the democracy want to be proud of it and so will constantly seek to improve and protect, even if it means their death. Love leads to mutual forgiveness, which is a necessary element in the middle of the disagreements and arguments in a democracy and then the ability to come together and work together.

Completing the circle of love requires the basic virtue of humility in which each person accepts each other person and willingly works with others. A democracy will have laws governing the society and all members of the democracy, including leaders, will be under those laws. Making and improving the laws is the major ongoing task of the democracy. This requires all the democratic virtues, which are important for all of life.

A democracy must exist in the midst of other nations. This means maintaining defense of the democracy as needed, and also working with allies in international cooperation. This was made clear in the two World Wars of the 20th century and their aftermath. Establishing international relations with international organizations that can check the powerful nations and provide aid to weaker nations is a necessity for the survival of democracies. A democracy is safer with many friends and the larger world is also safer. A democracy survives best in a peaceful world full of other democracies that understand and aid each other, but we must add, our survival also depends on having leaders with democratic virtues.

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Rev. Robert L. Montgomery, Ph.D., lives in Black Mountain.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Donald Trump's lack of virtues is destructive to a democracy