Democracy is a Verb, Not a Noun: Why We Must Stay Engaged

“Democracy isn’t a relic to be admired; it’s a fire to be tended. If we don’t feed it with action, it will die in the dark.” - Mary Coughlin

We’ve been taught to think of democracy as a thing—a structure, a system, a set of institutions that simply exists. But the hard truth we’re facing now is that democracy is not a static object we can place on a shelf and assume will always be there. Democracy is active. It is a verb, not a noun. It only survives if we engage with it, fight for it, and continuously nurture it.

And yet, many of us—myself included—fell into the trap of believing that others would safeguard it for us. That the system would self-correct. That the rule of law would hold. That our elected leaders, no matter how flawed, would ultimately respect the boundaries of democracy. We trusted that democracy was something we had, rather than something we had to do every single day.

But we fell asleep at the wheel. And now, we find ourselves in a moment where the very foundations of democracy are being shaken, not just by external forces but from within.

Democracy Fails When We Disengage

The warning signs have been there. Voter suppression laws. Attacks on the free press. The normalization of corruption. The slow but steady erosion of truth itself. The tactics of authoritarianism are not new, and history has shown us that democracy doesn’t collapse overnight—it erodes bit by bit, while people are too distracted, overwhelmed, or disillusioned to notice.

Democracy only works when the people participate. When we pay attention. When we refuse to let apathy, cynicism, or exhaustion lull us into passivity. The moment we disengage, we leave space for bad actors to fill the void.

The Myth of “Someone Else Will Fix It”

One of the biggest lies we’ve told ourselves is that “someone else” will handle it. Someone else will vote. Someone else will protest. Someone else will challenge disinformation. Someone else will fight for justice. But there is no someone else.

It’s us.

We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. And that realization is both terrifying and liberating. Because if we’re the ones responsible, it means we have power. It means that through action—small and large—we can push back. We can reclaim democracy not as something fragile and fading, but as something alive and fought for in every generation.

What It Looks Like to Treat Democracy as a Verb

So what does it actually mean to practice democracy, rather than just believe in it? Here’s what engagement looks like in action:

Vote in Every Election

• Not just in presidential years, but in every local, state, and special election. Local policies often have the biggest direct impact on our daily lives.

Stay Informed and Challenge Disinformation

• Seek out credible news sources. Fact-check before sharing. Push back against lies and propaganda. Check out these trusted sources, ProPublica.org, FactCheck.org, and Poynter’s MediaWise to stay informed (I am including an expanded list as a P.S. to this post)

Speak Up and Educate Others

• Conversations matter. Challenge misinformation when you hear it. Talk to friends and family about what’s at stake.

Show Up

• Attend town halls, school board meetings, protests. Be present in the spaces where decisions are made.

Hold Leaders Accountable

• Call your representatives. Demand action. Make it clear that silence and complicity are not acceptable.

Support a Free Press

• Subscribe to credible journalism. Amplify independent reporting that exposes corruption and injustice.

Build Community and Collective Action

• Democracy isn’t just an individual act; it’s a we effort. Find organizations doing the work, volunteer, and connect with others who care.

This is Not Just About One Election

While every election matters, democracy is not just about voting once every few years and then stepping back. It’s about sustained engagement. It’s about holding power to account, no matter who is in office. It’s about recognizing that democracy is not self-sustaining—it must be actively defended, nurtured, and reimagined.

History has shown us what happens when people stop engaging—when they assume democracy is permanent. We don’t get to make that mistake again.

A Call to Action

Right now, we are standing at a crossroads. We can either continue to hope that democracy will take care of itself, or we can step up, take responsibility, and engage like never before.

Democracy is a verb. It requires us to act. It requires us to care. And it requires us to never, ever fall asleep again.

So what’s your next move?

Drop a comment below: What’s one way you’re committing to treating democracy as a verb today?

No one is coming to save us—we are the ones we’ve been waiting for.

Mary

P.S.: Here are some links that may help you navigate the rampant misinformation

Fact-Checking & Disinformation Defense

• Snopes – Debunks misinformation and viral falsehoods.

• FactCheck.org – Nonpartisan fact-checking on political statements and claims.

• Poynter’s MediaWise – Teaches digital media literacy and fact-checking skills.

General Credible Journalism

• ProPublica – Investigative journalism exposing corruption and abuse of power.

• NPR – Balanced, in-depth news coverage.

• Reuters – International wire service known for factual reporting.

Democracy & Government Accountability

• Brennan Center for Justice – Research and legal insights on democracy, voting rights, and justice.

• Ballotpedia – Nonpartisan info on elections, policies, and government officials.

• OpenSecrets – Tracks money in politics and campaign financing transparency.