“The greater the silence, the more powerful the outcry. Our leaders have long ignored the voices of the people, which now roar louder than ever.” – Alan Moore
The concept of the “silent majority” has been present for centuries, representing a large group of individuals who choose not to publicly voice their political beliefs. In the 1919 presidential election, Bruce Barton praised Calvin Coolidge for standing up for this silent majority. In 1831, U.S. Rep. Churchill Cambreleng referred to those who abstained from voting on a Congressional bill as part of the silent majority. This term gained further prominence when Richard Nixon used it in 1969 to diminish a significant anti-war protest.
While the term “silent majority” has been widely used, its true identity remains elusive. Some view it as a group of disenchanted activists hiding within a large collective, while others see it as politically unaligned individuals. Yet, the silent majority encompasses a diverse range of people who withhold their public opinions. This group has existed since colonial times, with less than half of the colonists initially supporting independence until events like the Revolutionary War rallied them together.
According to a study by Washington University, the silent majority comprises individuals from various backgrounds and beliefs who opt to remain quiet due to escalating political divides. Approximately 40% of Americans now choose silence over expressing their views openly. Fear of repercussions in the current political climate has led many to self-censor, with a significant portion of Republicans, independents, and moderates admitting to holding back their opinions.
In today’s era of social media, where voices can be amplified, fear often silences individuals, contributing to the silent majority. A Cato study revealed that a third of respondents refrain from speaking out due to concerns about job security and relationships, while over 60% feel constrained by the current political atmosphere. The study also highlighted disparities between liberals and conservatives in their willingness to express their views, with political correctness being identified as a major obstacle to open discourse.
Conservatives and independents uphold strong beliefs on various issues, including abortion, terrorism, immigration, and more. The polarization in American politics has led to a climate where individuals feel hesitant to express their opinions freely, particularly on sensitive topics such as race, religion, and social issues. Bridging this divide and encouraging open dialogue are essential to giving voice to the silent majority and fostering a more inclusive and participatory democracy.
There is a discussion about political polarization and media bias. However, an increasing number of individuals have chosen to stay silent and not voice their opinions. Why? The Beacon Group, a political think tank, has attributed this trend of “conservative cowardice” to the GOP’s lack of support for Trump during his initial election. Despite Trump being the preferred candidate among conservatives and independents, some GOP members actively worked against him. This disloyalty extended to Congress as well. By the time they realized Trump’s legitimacy and success in leading the country, the GOP had damaged its own reputation.
When Trump assumed office, the left and liberal media launched a fierce attack on all Republicans, labeling them as fascists, homophobes, criminals, dictators, racists, and tyrants. Media headlines accused Trump of various crimes, including mishandling the pandemic. Despite this onslaught, the silent majority remained quiet and did not defend him. Many Republicans, moderates, and independents opted to remain silent to avoid confrontation with the media and the left.
Joseph Sutherland, an analytics executive at Washington University, noted the surprising fact that many educated individuals are the ones who self-censor the most. While typically empowered to engage in civic life, they are often hesitant to express their opinions. Only 27% of those without a high school diploma engage in self-censorship.
Although free speech is not suppressed through threats of death or punishment in the U.S. as in other countries, political scientists are puzzled by the disparity in vocalization between the left and the right. Over the past decade, the divide between the two ideological camps has widened significantly. Political intolerance has decreased, indicating that public opinion does not solely drive self-censorship. Instead, the pressure to withhold one’s views typically stems from one’s immediate social circle – friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors. Regardless of the reasons for self-censorship, it poses a threat to democracy.
Following a rise in living costs, high prices, and a border crisis, the silent majority eventually found their voice and elected Donald Trump. Dissatisfaction with the economy under progressive governance led to a surge in early voting and mail-in ballots, resulting in Trump winning swing states and the popular vote. It took a significant crisis for the silent majority to speak out.
Walter Cronkite once said that a healthy nation is one that engages in dialogue. America is predominantly center-right, yet those in the middle and those leaning towards the center-right have allowed progressives to intimidate them for too long, causing them to lose their courage to push back. How many more crises must the nation endure, and how much damage will radicals be allowed to inflict on the republic before the silent majority breaks their silence? There is a troubling parallel between Lenin’s control of the Russian people and the actions of progressives in America.
He took away the guns of the people, seized control of the press, and outlawed free speech. This is a scenario that could unfold in America if we allow it to take root. The price of freedom, liberty, and the right to free expression is not insignificant. Countless Americans have laid down their lives and shed their blood in defense of democracy across the globe. It is vital to remain attuned to the voices of the silent majority. Let us never overlook the words of Alexis de Tocqueville, who aptly observed, “The greatness of America lies not in being more enlightened than any other nation, but rather in her ability to rectify her shortcomings.”
