As of today, Luigi Mangione has been identified as the prime suspect in the murder that has been taking over much of social media and news channels alike — the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Ammunition found at the scene was inscribed with the words “deny,” “defend,” and “depose,” sparking speculation about the shooter’s intent. Online users drew connections between these phrases and the book “Delay, Deny, Defend” by Jay M. Feinman, which examines how insurance companies delay claim settlements. The ongoing criminal investigation is highly controversial with polarising opinions.
For many, the actions of alleged suspect Luigi Mangione are seen as something of a vigilante with the case highlighting the various healthcare issues faced by the American public, particularly when seeking compensation from insurance providers and in particular of how UnitedHealth Group’s evaluates (and denies) their medical claims. Many TikTok and Instagram users have since uploaded videos dedicated to romanticisation of the heinous act perpetrated by the “conventionally attractive” suspect. This case and its ensuing momentum on social media perfectly encapsulates the ongoing issue with American democracy and their battle of holding up the notion of “American ideals”.
Once heralded as the epitome of freedom and fairness, American democracy now stands as a paradox. Its principles — rooted in equality and public accountability — have been steadily undermined, not by politics alone, but by the relentless pull of commercial interests — much like that of the aforementioned policies of insurance companies. Over the past 50 years, capitalism has gamed the system, transforming elections into spectacles akin to reality TV. Beneath the surface of democratic ideals lies a system shaped more by profit motives than by the people’s will. What does this mean for the future of governance, and is this devolution inevitable?
Money & The Erosion of the Democratic Principles
One could argue that American democracy is no longer a tool of the people, as it now operates as a commercially driven spectacle, prioritising profit and entertainment over genuine democratic governance. The role of money in politics is insidious. The United States Supreme Court’s landmark Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission decision in 2010 opened the floodgates for unlimited corporate spending on elections, ensuring that only those with vast financial resources have the real power to shape policy. This has led to the rise of Super PACs, which allow corporations and wealthy individuals to flood elections with money, further skewing representation in favour of the rich.
In a candid interview with talk show host John Stewart, Senator Bernie Sanders addressed the challenges of introducing legislation to stop arms sales to Israel. Sanders remarked, “The American people do not believe that we should be supporting a government that is starving children as we speak, but if you stand up (against Israel), you are going to find that AIPAC (The American Israel Public Affairs Committee) and other billionaire-funded super-PACs are going to go to war against you, putting huge amounts of money in a primary in your general elections.”
He went on to explain the private frustrations shared by many lawmakers, saying, “There are many members of the Senate who will come to you privately and say, ‘My God, what Benjamin Netanyahu is doing is outrageous. I just can’t vote for the legislation because money is going to come in and destroy my political career.’” Sanders stressed that the root of the issue lies in the influence of money in politics. Legislators often feel unable to vote their conscience or intelligence because opposing corporate interests could lead to their defeat at the polls.
Expanding on this, Sanders drew a parallel to the pharmaceutical industry. He described how a politician might recognise the need to lower prescription drug prices but hesitate to take bold action out of fear. “If you take on the greed of the pharmaceutical industry,” he explained, “they are going to pour huge amounts of money to defeat you. That’s what you have to be thinking about because you could end up getting replaced by someone far worse.” Ultimately, Sanders concluded with a stark assessment of the situation: “The political system is broken and corrupt, and that’s what we have to address,” illustrating how the mechanics of American democracy have been undermined by a variety of tactics that distort the will of the people. Politicians are now more beholden to their financial backers than the people who elected them, making it increasingly difficult for voters to trust that their interests are being represented.
The Cyclical Spectacle of Presidental Elections
The 2024 presidential election saw Vice President Kamala Harris of the Democratic Party suffer a decisive loss to the Republican Party’s Donald Trump. Once a vital means for citizens to exercise their political power, elections have devolved into media-driven spectacles, crafted more to generate ratings and captivate attention than to promote meaningful political discourse. The commercialisation of campaigns has shifted the focus to optics — the “show” of politics — rather than substance. Candidates and political parties are now treated as brands, marketed and sold to the public much like consumer goods.
This “branded packaging” enabled figures like Donald Trump to transform into political showmen, using spectacle and personality to appeal to their target voter base. By blurring the lines between entertainment and governance, the emphasis has shifted to appearances over meaningful policy-making. However, in focusing on options and chasing public endorsements, what candidates often overlook is that, despite this heavy reliance on optics, the electorate still grapples with pressing concerns such as inflation, the cost-of-living crisis, and job security — real issues that demand serious, substantive solutions rather than performative politics.
Leading up to the election, Vice President Kamala Harris received various public endorsements from high-profile celebrities including Beyoncé and Taylor Swift, arguably two of the biggest celebrities on the planet today. However, the saying “all that glitters is not gold” rang true here as despite having Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, and Oprah Winfrey’s endorsement (alongside and attaching themselves to “Charli XCX’s “Brat Summer”- style social media branding) the sheer financial production spent on Harris’ campaign ultimately fell on deaf ears as — being the incumbent party up for election, inflation was seen as the fault of the President and the Government. Simply put, the majority of the public did not care for TikTok trends or “Brat Summer,” and Donald Trump was arguably better at toeing the line between being relatable and projecting authority to the American public.
Read More: Opinion: Unemployment Weakens a Government, Inflation Kills It
CNN & Fox News’ Agenda-Setting Echo Chamber
The media’s role in shaping public opinion has never been more apparent, with cable news networks like CNN and Fox News setting the agenda for political discourse. These outlets, driven by profit motives, often cater to specific political ideologies, creating echo chambers that reinforce partisan divisions rather than fostering informed debate. The sensationalist nature of news coverage, prioritising conflict over nuance, has distorted the public’s understanding of critical issues, making it difficult for voters to engage with policy in an all-encompassing way.
Fox News frequently frames “left-wing liberals” as members of a “woke” social and hierarchical elite, portrayed as so detached from reality that they not only fail to understand the concerns of the right but openly ridicule their beliefs. Conversely, left-leaning news and media outlets often reinforce the narrative that right-wing ideologues are “out of touch,” focusing disproportionately on identity politics. They highlight issues such as racial equality, trans rights and immigration, framing them as central battlegrounds and points of contention, while dismissing broader economic concerns.
Then, there is the use of provocative headlines to drive traffic that sees engagement come before accuracy, fostering a one-sided view and negatively contributing to groupthink. Platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook (Meta) exacerbate this effect by amplifying popular opinions and creating feedback loops that intensify groupthink. Media corporations, by framing issues to suit their economic and political interests, have contributed to the erosion of democracy, effectively manipulating public opinion and stoking division for financial gain.
Read More: Opinion: How British Media Negatively Amplified Groupthink
The Hypocritical Nature of “American Democracy”
The image of America as a shining example of democracy has long been at odds with the reality of its political system. While the nation espouses values of freedom, equality, and justice, the ongoing erosion of these principles by corporate influence reveals a glaring hypocrisy. A prime example is the United State’s continued funding and support of the ongoing ethnic cleansing and genocide in Gaza — as described by organisations like Oxfam and Amnesty International — while simultaneously vetoing numerous UN Security Council proposals calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire.
This stands in direct contrast to the United States’ efforts to assist Ukraine in its war against Russia, which they frame as a battle for sovereignty and democracy. The United States government’s failure to address issues like income inequality, climate change, and healthcare access — despite overwhelming public support for reforms — highlights the disconnect between the ideals of democracy and the reality of a system controlled by commercial interests and maintaining relationships with “allies” over the well-being and needs of its own citizens. The United States may still pride itself on being a “democracy,” but the system increasingly operates more like a plutocracy, where power resides in the hands of the wealthy and the corporations they control.
Furthermore, modern political figures often operate with a sense of impunity, motivated more by the need to please their corporate donors than to serve their constituents. Political fundraising has become an essential part of a politician’s career, with many spending more time courting wealthy donors and special interest groups than engaging with the needs of their voters. As a result, policies are increasingly crafted with the interests of big business in mind. This has led to the weakening of regulatory oversight, tax policies that favour the wealthy, and the minimisation of environmental and social protections.
Death of Democracy?
It could be argued that Donald Trump won the 2024 presidential election for the same reason he triumphed in 2016, and why Barack Obama won in 2008 and Joe Biden in 2020 — the promise of change. However, over the past century, the concept of change for the better has evolved into a notion of change for the protection of individual interests. America now stands on the precipice of change, for better or worse. Therefore, American democracy, as we know it, is not necessarily dying, but rather facing its moment of reckoning.
To counter the erosion of democratic principles, it is crucial to reimagine the role of commerce in politics. This might include policies that limit the influence of money in politics, such as public financing for campaigns or stricter campaign finance laws. It could also involve strengthening voter protections, implementing reforms to combat gerrymandering, and investing in media literacy to combat the manipulation of information.
A shift towards transparency, fairness, and public accountability is necessary to reclaim democracy from corporate interests and return it to the hands of the people. To restore the power of the people, it is necessary to address the systemic flaws that have allowed corporate interests to hijack the democratic process. By evolving both social and economic systems, it is possible to create a more inclusive and equitable form of governance, where the ideals of democracy are no longer a facade but a lived reality for all citizens. The decline of American democracy is a result of the growing influence of commerce on politics, undermining the principles of equality, accountability, and public service.
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