What are the early warning signs of a failing democracy? In this compelling episode of Good Faith, Curtis is joined by Paul D. Miller, national security expert and former White House staffer, to take a look at how the current US political landscape is in some ways reflecting the failing of the Weimar Republic in Germany prior to the complete takeover of the fascist Nazi regime.

Examining the historical patterns of what happens when nationalism is combined with extremist ideologies, Miller raises the question: is American democracy already near collapse? As class structures shift and divide people economically and politically, a new group of leaders has emerged – one in which a select few elite both hold the power to make decisions that they will not be affected by, and can evade lawful accountability without consequence. Using the image of a citizen as opposed to a mere subject, Miller implores listeners to become active members of political discourse on the local level, focusing on one common goal: speaking the truth in love. By refusing to accept lies or partial-truths, Americans can reclaim democracy and embrace a healthy patriotism, based in gratitude rather than fear and reaction.

As political discourse continues to become more divisive, this episode is a timely reminder that immovable party affiliations and tribal loyalties are not the solution. Rather than abandoning hope and giving in to the false belief that democracy is beyond saving, Miller outlines a response both tactical and healing, that overcomes partisan loyalty and extremist ideals and restores humanity and love of neighbor.

This excerpt has been edited for length and clarity.

Paul D. Miller: There’s a self-righteous certainty of knowing my team’s got all the answers. Stop with the talking points and sit with some uncertainty, and the possibility that maybe your team has gotten something wrong once in a while.

I don’t want to imply that there’s a virtue in sitting in a place of doubt forever. I’m not saying certainty is always wrong – it’s a certain kind of tribal certainty. It’s much easier for me to find things to agree with on both sides of the political spectrum, because I don’t feel a sense of loyalty to either one. It’s much easier to weigh things impartially.

That is a new kind of certainty. It ends up being quite comfortable because I don’t have to worry about what they’re going to think of me or if they’re going to ostracize me. They already have, so what do I have to lose? It’s quite freeing. I’m finding a new sense of certainty that’s not rooted in one tribe’s identity or the other, but simply in what I think is truth and natural law.