Why right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk should be mourned by all true democrats
While Charlie Kirk asked people who disagreed with him to talk, the person who shot him used violence to silence him forever
The assassination of right-wing political influencer Charlie Kirk was a heinous murder that robbed a woman of her husband and two children of their father. But it was also a profoundly undemocratic act.
Kirk, a prominent supporter of Donald Trump whose daily radio talkshow had millions of social media followers, held highly controversial views on a range of subjects, including ones that The Scotsman would strongly criticise.
But debate and the open exchange of ideas is the lifeblood of any democracy. If politicians simply hurl insults at each other, with little attempt at a genuine and serious discussion, the risk is of the kind of unthinking tribalism that can lead to political violence.
A robust debater
When Kirk was shot, he was taking part in the first even on a tour of college campuses in which people were invited to argue with him. He was a robust debater and confident in his beliefs, but there is nothing wrong with that.
Even in the most heated debate, both sides are paying each other a degree of tacit respect by agreeing to talk. Whatever you think of Kirk’s views, he was acting entirely within the spirit of a democracy.
While Kirk asked people who disagreed with him to talk, the person who shot him used violence to silence him forever, an act that achieved little but causing grief among his loved ones and encouraging similar violence in return.
As Trump gets ready for his state visit to the UK next week, there will be protesters preparing to make their feelings known. That is perfectly reasonable, providing they do so peacefully.
There are some who say Trump is a threat to democracy and we agree he has shown signs of being just that. However, one person can only achieve so much. A far greater danger is when a society stops talking and starts fighting.
Once issues are settled not by a peaceful show of hands, but by force of arms, democracy is lost.
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