America has long presented itself as the greatest guardian of democracy in the world. Freedom of speech, human rights, rule of law and freedom of expression have been highlighted as the foundation of its foreign policy. But in reality, it is seen that this state claiming democracy is itself walking the opposite path of democratic values. America’s repressive actions, visa bans, and threats of prison and fines against those who are vocal, especially on the Palestinian issue, make it clear that the democracy of the USA is actually just an opportunistic facade.
Punishment for speaking out for Palestine: Threat of visa cancellation
Since October 2023, protests have been taking place around the world against the Israeli aggression in Gaza. Many people have spoken out on social media, in the streets, and at universities, standing up for Palestine. But the USA, which claims to be the protector of freedom of speech, is walking the opposite path.
According to a new draft bill, those who post online against Israel or support Palestine will be banned from entering the USA. Even citizens living in the USA are being subjected to surveillance and investigative measures. This is like imposing a huge silence in the name of democracy.
War on freedom of speech: Is expression a crime?
Action has been taken against pro-Palestinian students at many universities in the USA. Some have been expelled, some have been threatened, and some have even been attacked. Even teachers, researchers, and journalists who have questioned the massacre in Gaza have lost their jobs.
In fact, the US model of freedom of expression is legitimate only when it aligns with US interests— otherwise it is no longer freedom. It becomes a form of state hypocrisy.
At this moment, it is necessary to protest this two-faced policy of the US globally, and to rethink the meaning of true democracy. If freedom of expression, humanity, and the verdict of the majority are neglected, then that state is no longer democratic— it is a modern form of dictatorship.
Electoral College: The Constitutional Legitimacy of Ignoring the Majority
Another major undemocratic aspect of the USA is its electoral system. More specifically, the Electoral College. Here, the candidate who wins the direct vote of the people may not become president. Both Al Gore in the 2000 election and Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election —could not become president despite receiving more votes, only because of this system.
This system bypasses the opinion of the majority and turns the will of a limited group into a state decision. As a result, it conflicts with true democracy. Democracy should reflect the principle of ‘one citizen, one vote’, but that often does not happen in the USA.
The difference between the rhetoric of democracy and reality: Hypocrisy of the USA
The USA has tried to export democracy to many countries in the world. It has carried out military interventions in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, and Syria in the name of establishing democracy without giving importance to the system of governance of these countries. The irony is the USA wants to establish democracy in these countries but, in reality they have failed to ensure freedom of speech or the reflection of the will of the people in their own countries.
The mass movement that is going on worldwide on the Palestinian issue is not an ideology of a specific party but an expression of humanity. But the USA wants to protect its geopolitical interests by suppressing that humanity. Because of this geopolitical interest of the USA this issue along with other issues in the Middle East cannot be solved. This is a pure authoritarian attitude.
Democracy or Geopolitics?
In fact, the USA means the policy that protects its geopolitical interests is democracy. Any dissent that may go against Israel or stand in favor of Palestine is labeled as ‘illegal’ or ‘supporting terrorism’. This giving a tag to the believers of opposite ideologies is not a component of an ideal democracy. Such an attitude is the complete opposite of democracy. This is a manifestation of a kind of racist and one-sided politics, which is a major obstacle to peace and justice worldwide.
 Conclusion: US Democracy is Just a Game of Words
What the USA says and does proves one thing clearly: it talks about democracy, but it is completely unsuccessful in implementing it. Rather, it is distorting the ideal of democracy to protect its own interests.
Standing up for Palestine is not a crime, but rather a human duty. By suppressing those who are fulfilling that duty, the USA is proving that its democracy is actually a kind of hypocrisy and a foreign policy to maximize its own interests.
At this moment, it is necessary to protest this two-faced policy of the US globally, and to rethink the meaning of true democracy. If freedom of expression, humanity, and the verdict of the majority are neglected, then that state is no longer democratic— it is a modern form of dictatorship.
