Final answer:
Institutionalism can’t save us, and we need to act aggressively to prosecute wrongdoing and strengthen internal checks against future administrations. Garland should learn from the Obama administration and ensure that government officials can’t act outside the law to benefit themselves and their party. The future of our democracy could depend on it.
Step-by-step explanation:
It pertains to the role of civil and political institutions in democratic societies and the importance of individual responsibility and collective action in addressing the flaws within these systems. The question points to the need for accountability, education, and an ethos of citizenship that includes decency, tolerance, and respect, suggesting that trusting solely in institutionalism is insufficient for a healthy democracy. It invites reflections on the ways political power may be used or misused and encourages vigilance to prevent abuses of power, as exemplified by past administrations.
The reference to Garland likely refers to the United States Attorney General and the importance of the Department of Justice in upholding the rule of law. The context of the question includes historical precedents of government officials acting outside the law for personal or partisan gain, emphasizing the necessity of robust internal checks and a well-informed public to safeguard democratic values. It ties the survival and function of democratic institutions to the support of the populace and the absence of undue influence.