Nico Camacho | October 22, 2026
Reviving Ethical Rhetoric to Advance Democratic Reconstruction
Recent polling shows that younger generations are increasingly distrustful of democracy. That lack of trust stems from real issues: The government can seem slow, corrupt, polarized, and unable to effectively respond to problems. Due to this, support for alternative forms of government can begin to grow. A strong leader promises quick solutions, fewer obstacles, and less chaos, while defenders of democracy seem to be losing the debate over governance. One primary driver of this distrust in democracy is the breakdown of ethical rhetoric. Modern speakers have lost touch with a productive use of rhetoric itself. When rhetoric loses this foundation, persuasion turns to manipulation, and democracy loses the basic conditions necessary for effective public debate.
