Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Democracy

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez expresses deep concern over the future of American democracy, stating in interviews that there is a "very real risk" the U.S. will not be a democracy in ten years, as of early 2022. She fears the U.S. could devolve into a government that merely postures as a democracy without embodying its principles. Her critique highlights structural issues like the underrepresentation of populated areas in the Senate and the rollback of protections established by the Voting Rights Act.

Her perspective connects the erosion of democracy directly to political corruption and economic inequality. Ocasio-Cortez asserts that the country is at a political crossroads, where it must choose between oligarchy—defined by extreme wealth inequality and corporate money in politics—or a fair economy upheld by true democracy and freedom. She argues that the rise of figures like Donald Trump is the "logical inevitable conclusion" of a system dominated by corporate and dark money.

To protect and restore democracy, Ocasio-Cortez champions combating oligarchy by eliminating the influence of big money in politics, as exemplified by her initial campaign decision to refuse lobbyist or corporate donations. She emphasizes that the fight for democracy includes securing economic rights for working people, such as living wages and guaranteed healthcare, believing these are foundational to a functional, representative system.