New Rule: A Democracy, If You Can Keep It | Real Time with Bill Maher (HBO)

Summary

Bill Maher contrasts the response to recent failed coups in Brazil and the U.S. He argues that Brazil's stronger democracy enabled them to unify against the coup attempt, while deep flaws in America's outdated system have left us bitterly divided. Maher blames elitist, profit-driven media and the Republican party's embrace of extremism, but says Democrats must also take responsibility. He concludes that Brazil's recent experience with dictatorship has given them 'immunity' from the politics of grievance that threatens American democracy.

Takeaways

• 😡 The January 6th insurrection in the US Capitol failed, but Trump faced little backlash compared to Bolsonaro in Brazil after a similar event.
• 💡 Brazil's constitution and governmental structure makes staging a coup much more difficult than in the antiquated US system.
• 🤔 The US media profits from divisiveness and helps spread misinformation, unlike the public service model in Brazil.
• 😮‍💨 Republicans fear more backlash from Trump than doing the right thing regarding the insurrection.
• 🇧🇷 Brazil quickly united after the insurrection attempt, while the US remains deeply divided.
• 🙄 The US system with the electoral college, gerrymandering, and state control of elections is less democratic than Brazil's.
• 🤨 US conservatives have become more extreme while Democrats are now seen as elitist, helping lead to Trump's rise.
• 😢 The US politics of grievance have no limits compared to Brazil.
• 💪 Brazilians have more recent experience with dictatorship so are more resistant to authoritarianism.
• 😟 Structural factors make the US more vulnerable to coups than Brazil's more modern system.

Q & A

What happened in the 2020 and 2023 presidential elections in the US and Brazil respectively?

In 2020, incumbent US President Donald Trump lost his re-election bid but claimed the election was rigged, leading to the January 6th Capitol riots. In 2023, incumbent Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro also lost and made similar claims of a rigged election, leading to riots on January 8th.

How did the US and Brazil respond differently to the riots after the contested elections?

After the riots, Brazil united against the plotters and made Bolsonaro a pariah. But in the US, Trump remains popular and Republicans were afraid to condemn him.

What are some key differences between the US and Brazilian constitutions and election processes?

Brazil's constitution is newer, they have a non-partisan electoral court, use a popular vote system, count votes faster, and have term limits for Supreme Court judges.

How does the media landscape in the US contribute to the political divide?

News outlets prioritize ratings over public service. They call elections before final results, shaping opinions rather than reporting them. Social media spreads misinformation.

What happened to the Republican party since the Watergate era?

Republicans and Democrats flipped personalities. Republicans went from elitist to populist working class, while Democrats became more elitist.

How does gerrymandering in the US undermine democracy?

Gerrymandering allows Representatives to choose their own electorate and win safe seats, making them only afraid of primary challengers more extreme than them.

How does the Electoral College system enable minority rule in the US?

The Electoral College means a candidate can win while losing the popular vote. It gives disproportionate power to less populated states.

Why does the comedian say Americans have lost their immunity to authoritarianism?

Many Brazilians remember living under dictatorship. But Americans lack that living memory, making them more vulnerable to authoritarian appeals.

What structural factors make American democracy weaker than Brazil's?

An outdated constitution, gerrymandering, the Electoral College, partisan courts, decentralized election systems, and a drawn-out vote counting process.

How could America strengthen its democracy?

Reform gerrymandering, the Electoral College and Senate representation, modernize the constitution, limit partisan courts, and streamline vote counting.