Erosion From Within: The Quiet Threat to Democracy

Erosion From Within: The Quiet Threat to Democracy

What Happens When We Trust Personalities Instead of Principles

In the fall of 2020, Christopher Pugh sat in his living room in Gulfport, Mississippi, eyes fixed on the election results. By the end of that week, he had made a life-altering decision.

He no longer believed in the courts. He no longer trusted the press. He doubted the election itself.

But he did believe one person. The man who told him it was all a sham.

"I trust Donald Trump, not the government," he said.

And he’s not alone.

Millions of Americans have walked away from institutions and placed their trust in individuals instead. On the right, many stand behind Trump. On the left, others do the same with their own political champions. The faces change, but the behavior stays the same.

This is no longer a fringe issue. A recent poll found that two-thirds of Republicans trust Donald Trump's 2024 campaign for accurate election information, while only half trust the official certification of votes. After the 2016 election, nearly four in ten Democrats said Trump’s win was illegitimate.

This is not about left or right. It's about what happens when trust only exists if your side wins.

That isn’t democracy. It’s a rigged game pretending to be one.

The Dark Traits We Mistake for Strength

Psychologists use the term “Dark Triad” to describe three traits: narcissism, manipulation, and a lack of empathy. These are qualities we once feared in leaders. Now, they’re often mistaken for strength.

In business, research shows top executives are more likely to display these traits than junior employees. In politics, we often confuse them with confidence or resolve.

These leaders offer certainty when everything feels uncertain. They give us simple villains, easy answers, and loud promises. Many of them lie, but they lie in ways that sound like clarity.

And the truth is, people follow them.

A global study confirmed that politicians who rank high in these traits trigger more anger and hostility in their supporters. The problem is not only that these leaders exist. It’s that they attract massive followings.

The Playbook Is Simple. And It Works.